joseph urban - columbia university · web viewprovenance: gift of mrs joseph urban, 1955 gift of...
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Ms Coll/Urban, Joseph
Joseph UrbanPapers, 1893-1998135 linear ft. (ca. 11,530 items in 39 boxes; 86 flat boxes; 147 board-portfolios; 12 map case drawers; 45 boxes of glass plates and acetate negatives; 328 set models)
Biography: Joseph Urban (1872-1933) studied architecture at the Akademie der bildenden Künst in his native Vienna. He established himself as an architect as well as a book illustrator, exhibit designer interior decorator and set designer often in collaboration with the painter Heinrich Lefler. Urban and Lefler were co-founders of the Hagenbund an exhibiting society similar to the Secessionists. In 1912 at the age of 40 Urban emigrated to the United States and became the designer for the Boston Opera Company where he introduced the innovations of the New Stagecraft from the european theater. After the Boston Opera Company went bankrupt in 1914 Urban began designing sets in New York. He designed the Ziegfeld Follies as well as all other Ziegfeld productions from 1915 to 1932. In 1917 he began designing for the Metropolitan Opera and continued to do so until his death in 1933. From 1921 to 1925 Urban was also the art director for William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan Studios. He had branched out to other artistic endeavors since moving to New York including designing shop windows roof gardens and interior decoration. From 1921 to 1922 he introduced the works of Viennese artists to the United States through his Wiener Werkstätte shop. He received his license to practice architecture in the United States in 1926 after which he designed homes buildings ballrooms and theaters in New York and elsewhere. Notable examples of his extant architecture are the Paramount Theater Building and Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach Florida and the New School and the Hearst Magazine Building in New York.
Summary: Collection contains watercolor renderings, sketches, technical drawings (ground plans, elevations and details), photographs, glass plate and acetate negatives, scrapbooks, set models and some related papers covering Urban's career in Vienna and New York as an architect, set designer, decorator and illustrator. There is a thorough representation of his New York career including his set designs for Florenz Ziegfeld (1915-1932) and the Metropolitan Opera (1917-1933). The collection also contains information on Urban's work for William Randolph Hearst as art director for Cosmopolitan Studios, his exhibitions including his 1921 Wiener Werkstätte store, and his many architectural projects. Biographical information and research gathered by Richard Cole and Randolph Carter including contributions from his daughter,Gretl Urban, and biographical notes and some letters from his widow, Mary Urban, are also present.
Finding Aids: Contents list, 130 pages
Restrictions on Access: Available for faculty, students, and researchers engaged in scholarly or publication projects.
Restrictions on Use: Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Librarian for Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Provenance: Gift of Mrs Joseph Urban, 1955Gift of Gretl Urban, 1987-1992Gift of Randolph Carter, 1988 (audio cassettes)Gift of Robert Reed Cole, 1990 (research notes) & 1992Gift of Manuel Moreno, 1996Gift of Randolph Carter, 1998.
Processing History: Processed by Gwynedd Cannan in 1999
JOSEPH URBAN 2
Physical Location: In sequence
RLIN ID: NYCR89-A895
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ORGANIZATION OF THE PAPERS
PAGE
SERIES I : VIENNA
1.1 GENERAL FILES 41.2 GENERAL FILES - UNDATED 121.3 THEATER 121.4 ILLUSTRATIONS 151.5 EXHIBITS 161.6 UNIDENTIFIED 17
SERIES II : BOSTON OPERA 17
SERIE III : NEW YORK
3.1 GENERAL FILES 333.2 UNDATED 333.3 THEATER 333.4 ZIEGFELD 513.5 METROPOLITAN OPERA 633.6 FILM 853.7 ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN 93
SERIES IV : BIOGRAPHICAL 110
SERIES V : OTHER DONATIONS
5.1 GRETL URBAN 1115.2 COLE, ROBERT & RANDOLPH CARTER 1115.3 MARY URBAN 1115.4 OTHER DONATIONS 111
SERIES VI : SET MODELS 112
JOSEPH URBAN 4
1. VIENNA, 1897-1911
This series contains the records of the architecture and design projects from Urban's career in Vienna. It is arranged chronologically divided into five sections: General files-dated, General files-undated, Illustrations, Exhibits and Unidentified. It contains watercolor drawings, rough drawings, technical drawings, photographs, post cards, clippings, playbooks and exhibit catalogs. Of note are the catalogs from the 1902-1908 Hagenbund exhibits and the photographs of the 1908 Kaiserfest.
1.1: General Files
Bicycle tournament, May 26, 1897 :
Urban built a canopy for the tournament festival and made contributions to the program
Box Folder1 1 Program & description
Kaiser Jubilee Bridge, 1898 :
Urban won a competition to design this bridge between the Musikverein and the Künstlerhaus for the celebration of the emperor's 50th year of rule.
3 drawings, watercolor, pencil and ink:
Box FolderB1 1 --Brucke 1, 29x22 cm., sig.Box Folder1 2 --Brucke 2 & 3, 29x22 cm., sig.Box Folder1 2 2 photographs
Bosnian Pavilion, 1898 :
Also built for the Kaiserfest, the celebration of the emperor's 50th year of rule. See also postcard at Avery Library
Box Folder1 3 4 post cards
Rathauskeller, 1899 :
With Heinrich Lefler.
4 drawings, watercolor/ink on board:Box Folder1 4 --Large dining room, 25x18 cm.Box Folder1 4 --Staircase, 30x20 cm.Box Folder1 4 --Die Sage vom KussdenpfennigBox FolderB1 2 --Strauss table, 28x22 cm.Box Folder1 4 2 pencil sketches of muralsBox FolderA 1 LampsBox Folder1 5 Clipping, Councilmen's roomBox Folder1 5 & 6 48 photographs, various viewsBox FolderA1 1 4 photographs, various viewsBox Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 5
1 7 51 prints, various viewsNote: See also print and 4 photographs at Avery Library
Esterházy Estates, 1899, 1903 :
Count Karl Esterházy saw Urban and Lefler's Lady's Room in the Winter Exhibit of 1897/98 at the Austrian museum and commissioned them to design an addition for his country chateau in St. Abraham in Hungary. In 1903 Urban designed a fountain for another Esterházy estate.
8 drawings, watercolor, pencil and ink:Box Folder1 8 --2. decorative detail, 16x17 cm., sig. Box Folder1 8 --II: Fireplace, 25x16 cm.Box FolderB1 3 --III: Bedroom, 22x23 cm., sig.Box FolderB1 4 --IV: Room with daybed, 26x21 cm., sig.Box FolderB1 5 --V: Corner of hall, 27x24 cm.Box FolderB1 6 --VI: Dining room, 27x24 cm., sig.Box FolderB1 7 --VII: Reception room, 28x24 cm., sig.Box Folder1 8 --Bedroom, 16.5x24 cm.Box Folder1 8 Wall Fountain, magazine printBox FolderC1 1 Wall Fountain, ink drawing, 42x30 cm.
Note: See also photograph of chateau at Avery Library
Memorial Chapel for Empress Elizabeth, 1901 :
Kaiserin-Elizabeth-Kapelle at Baden bei Wien
4 drawings, watercolor, pencil and ink:Box Folder1 9 --Memorial, view from gate, 17x14 cm. Box FolderB1 8 --Memorial, front elevation, 24x23 cm.Box FolderB1 9 --Memorial, view from gate, 25x17 (20x14) cm.Box FolderB1 10 --Memorial w/ front walkway, 25x17 (20x14) cm.
Wähner House, 1900 :
Theodor Wähner was the Commissioner in charge of the Rathauskeller renovation and the editor of Deutschen Zeitung.
Box Folder1 10 2 photographs of buildingBox Folder1 10 Easter noteBox Folder1 10 Clock, watercolor on board, 27x14 (20x9) cm.
Goltz House, Alexander, 1902 :
Urban built and furnished an addition to the house of artist and Hagenbund member, Alexander Goltz on Granzinger Street 87.
JOSEPH URBAN 6
2 drawings, watercolor, pencil and ink on board, sig.:Box Folder1 11 --Room, corner & plan, 29x21 (24x19) cm.Box Folder1 11 --Room, table in foreground, 29x21 (24x20) cm.
Von Wiener House and Office, 1902-1903 :
Baron Ritter von Wiener was Minister of Art, director of the Museum for Culture and Teaching and director of the Museum of Arts and Crafts. Von Wiener was a major patron of Urban and Lefler who provided them with government projects. Baron von Wiener took Urban as a delegate to represent Austria at the 1900 Paris World's Fair.
3 drawings, watercolor and ink on board:Box Folder1 12 --Dining Room elevation, 18x30 cm.Box FolderC1 2 --Study- floor and elevation, 30x15 cm.Box FolderC1 2 --Study corner, 30x15 cm.Box FolderD1 1 --North side elevation, 40x40 cm.Box Folder1 12 --Office of the Sectionschef von Stadler, 27x18 cm.Box FolderC1 3 5 plans
Spiesejaal Hotel Restaurant, 1905 :
Katowice, Poland (formerly, Kattowitz, Prussia)
Box Folder1 13 5 photographs of dining room
Zwischenspiel, 1905
Burgtheater comedy in 3 acts by Arthur Schnitzler
Box Folder1 14Box FolderB1 11 Set sketch
Hopfner Restaurant, Paul, 1906
4 drawings, watercolor:Box Folder1 15 --Doorknob detail, (16x11) cm.Box Folder1 15 --Mantle detail, 20x28 cm.Box FolderB1 12 --Entrance elevation, 27x26 cmBox FolderB1 12 --Fireplace wall elevation, 26x29 cm.Box FolderC1 4 --Wall with mural elevation, 29x48 cmBox Folder1 15 4 photographs of restaurant
Hölle Cabaret, 1906 :
JOSEPH URBAN 7
With Heinrich Lefler. Cabaret in the cellar of the Theater an der Wien
Box Folder1 16 3 elevations, Theater
4 drawings, watercolor on board:Box FolderB1 13 --Elevation, mask wall, 7/30/06, 25x29 cm., sig.Box FolderB1 13 --Elevation, devil waltz, 24x29 cm.Box FolderB1 13 --Elevation, mask wall, 34x24 cm.Box FolderB1 13 --Curtain elevation, 7/30/06, 26x27 cm., sig.Box Folder1 16 Photographs of theater and cabaretBox Folder1 16 Program
Urban Home, Nibelungengasse 8, 1906 :
Donated by Robert Cole in 1995
Box Folder1 17 Corner of dining room elevation, 30x20 cm.Box FolderA1 2 Salon ground plan, 34x23 cm.Box FolderA1 2 Children's room wall elevation, 26x35 cm.
Landau Villa, Dr. Max, 1906 :
Villa am Semmering, Südbahnstr. 83
Box Folder1 18 5 plans, detail drawingBox FolderC1 5 5 detail drawingsBox Folder1 18 7 photographs of house and model
Note: See also drawing of furniture in Avery Library
Redlich Villa, Carl, 1906-1907 :
Country house of the owner of the construction contracting firm Redlich and Berger
Box Folder2 1 Sketch of house exterior wall, pencil and ink
4 drawings, watercolor, pencil and ink:Box Folder2 1 --2 elevations, Else Redlich's room, 20.5x28.5 cm.Box FolderC1 6 --elevation of chair and divan, 23.5x34 cm.Box FolderC1 6 --elevation of hall, 22x44 cm.Box Folder2 1 --Garden lamp detail, 18x29 cm.Box FolderC1 6 Ground plan, ink, 26x24 cm.Box FolderC1 6 Ground plan, watercolor and pencil, 41x29 cm.Box Folder14-9-1 A.1 2 ground plans, 59x50 cm.Box Folder
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2 1 5 photographs
Faust I, II, 1906-07 :
Directed by Paul Schlenther with Josef Kainz at the Burgtheater
Box Folder2 2 Playbook, GermanBox Folder2 2 Set notes, 2 p.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil:Box Folder2 2 --Prologue, Vienna, 1907, 17x21 cm.Box Folder2 2 --Gretchen's Room, 15x28 cm.Box Folder2 2 17 set sketchesBox Folder2 2 3 postcards of actors in costume
Aschenbrödel (Cinderella), Vienna Hofoper, 1907 :
Box Folder2 3 4 technical drawings
Kaiser Jubilee Festzug, June 12, 1908 :
Celebrating the 60th year of rule of the Emperor Franz Josef.
Box Folder2 4 & 5 103 photographs of festivalBox FolderB1 14 Wiener Zeitung leaflet, 4 p.Box Folder2 5 Program, 12 p.
Note: See also photograph of pavilion at Avery Library
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, 1908, Vienna Hofoper :
Box Folder2 6 --I: Church, 18x24 (14x20) cm.Box FolderB1 15 --I: Church B, 34x22 cm.Box Folder2 6 --II: Street, 18x24 (14x20) cm.Box Folder2 6 --III.1: workshop, 18x24 (14x20) cm.Box Folder2 6 --IV: Meadow, 18x24 (14x20) cm.Box Folder2 6 2 p. libretto coverBox Folder2 6 15 set elevationsBox FolderC1 7 4 set elevations
Note: See also Vienna, 1909-11 and Boston January 23, 1914
Suburbs, 1909 :
Box Folder2 7 7 plans
Tombstones and Chapels, 1909 :
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Box Folder2 8 5 sketchesBox Folder2 8 18 photographsBox FolderB1 16 & 17 19 drawings and sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-1 A3 Rough sketch
Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), 1909, Leipzig Opernhaus :
Box Folder2 9 LibrettoBox Folder2 9 5 p. notesBox Folder2 9 12 plans and drawings
Der Fliegende Holländer, 1909, Vienna Volksoper, and Budapest :
Box Folder2 10 LibrettoBox Folder2 10 Volksoper program, 1909Box Folder2 10 2 plansBox Folder2 10 4 plans, Budapest
Tannhäuser, 1909 :
Box Folder2 11 LibrettoBox Folder2 11 9 set drawingsBox Folder2 11 Program, Volksoper, 1909
Faust, 1909-11, Gounod, Brunswick :
2 watercolor drawings:Box Folder2 12 --am Brunnen, 19x30 cm.Box Folder2 12 --Street, 20x26 cm.Box Folder2 12 Osterspaziergang set sketch
Note: See also Vienna (Goethe) 1906-07; Boston 2/26/13; Met 11/17/17
and 11/30/23
Quo Vadis?, 1909-11, Budapest, written by J. Nougués :
Box Folder2 13 6 set drawings
Oberon, 1909-11, Charlottenburg :
Box Folder2 14 Ground plan, islandBox FolderA1 3 8 set drawings
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Box FolderC1 8 4 drawings & plans
Note: See also Met, 12/18/18
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, 1909-11, Budapest :
Box Folder2 6 6 plans
Note: See also Vienna 1908 and Boston Opera January 23, 1914
Die Fledermaus, 1909-11, Cologne Opernhaus, written by Johann Strauss :
Box Folder3 1 4 set drawings
Der Rosenkavalier, 1909-11, Cologne Opernhaus, written by Richard Strauss :
Box Folder3 2 LibrettoBox FolderC1 9 3 set elevationsBox Folder3 2 Article, 2 p.
Salome, 1909-11, Stuttgart Hofoper, written by Richard Strauss :
Box Folder3 3 Set sketch
Der Ring Des Nibelungen, 1909-11, Budapest :
Box Folder3 4 Essay on Wagner, 17 p.
Box Folder3 4 Set notes & inventories, 25 p.
Das Rheingold, Budapest, Brunswick :
Box Folder3 4 librettoBox Folder3 4 2 ground plans, BudapestBox Folder3 4 Clipping of set Box Folder3 4 10 plans and sketchesBox FolderD1 2 4 plans
Die Walküre, Budapest, Mannheim National Theater, 1911 :
Box Folder3 5 LibrettoBox FolderC1 10 5 technical drawingsBox Folder3 5 5 sketches and notesBox Folder3 5 3 ground plansBox Folder3 5 2 ground plans, Budapest
JOSEPH URBAN 11
Siegfried :
Box Folder3 6 2 librettosBox Folder3 6 Clipping of Act IIIBox Folder3 6 4 sketches and plansBox FolderA1 4 2 drawingsBox Folder3 6 2 ground plans
Tristan und Isolde, 1909-11 :
Box Folder3 7 2 librettosBox FolderA1 5 Footwear, watercolor and ink, 32x26 cm.Box Folder3 7 5 technical drawings
Lohengrin, 1909-11, Stuttgart Hofoper :
2 drawings, watercolor :Box Folder3 8 --I: River bank scene, 9x11 (6x10) cm.Box FolderB1 18 --Costume drawing, 26x24 cm.Box Folder3 8 4 set drawings, pencilBox FolderB1 19 Set drawing, pencil
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera February 6, 1921
Zigeunerbaron (Gypsy Baron), 1910 :
By Johan Strauss conducted at the Hofoper by Felix Weingartner.
Box Folder3 9 5 set drawings
Der Junge Medardus, 1910 :
Box Folder3 10 4 set sketches
Mair House, Dr. Bartl, 1910 :
Dr. Mair was the local doctor for Scheiblingkirchen in lower Austria.
Box Folder3 11 Ground plan and rear elevationBox Folder3 11 4 ground plansBox Folder3 11 3 photographs of house
Eisenstein House, Viktor, 1910 :
Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 6. Eisenstein was the Vienna representative for the New York Life Insurance Company.
JOSEPH URBAN 12
Box Folder3 12
2 drawings, watercolor, sig. :Box FolderB2 1 --Front elevation and ground plan, 29x24 (23x15) cm.Box FolderB2 1 --ground plan w/ landscaping, 29x24 (24x17) cm.
Benvenuto Cellini, 1911, Hofoper :
Box Folder3 13 3 detail drawings
Götterdämmerung, 1911, Mannheim Nationaltheater :
Box Folder3 14 5 Roller set & costumes designsBox Folder3 14 12 set drawingsBox FolderB2 2 2 set drawings
Lanval, 1911 :
Play by Eduard Stucken, Burgtheater
1 drawing, watercolor:Box Folder3 15 --bedroom w/ ground planBox Folder3 15 Set drawing of bedroomMapcase Folder14-9-1 A.2 2 technical drawings
Gudrun, 1912 :
Opera by Ernst Hardt, Burgtheater
Box Folder3 16 4 set drawings
1.2: General Files-Undated
Freytag Library and Salon :
Box Folder3 17Box FolderA1 6 Salon, 2 ladies at piano, 28x24 cm.
1.3: Theater
Blaue Vogel (The Blue Bird) by Maurice Maeterlink :
Box Folder3 18 12 set sketches
Czar und Zimmermann, by Albert Lortzing, comic opera :
Box Folder3 19 3 plans
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Eisenhammer, Der, music by Benito Bersa, book by A. M. Willner :
Box Folder3 20 Set sketch
Erasmus Montanus, Ludwig Holberg, play :
Box Folder3 21 5 sketches and notes
Förster-Christel (The Girl and the Kaiser), operetta by Bernhard Buchbinder :
Box Folder3 22 4 set sketches
Frau ohne Schatten, by Richard Strauss :
Box Folder3 23 Libretto
Freischütz, Der, see also Met 1923 :
Box Folder3 24 4 ground plans
Garde Officier :
Box Folder3 25 Set sketch
Graf von Luxemburg (The Count of Luxemburg), Franz Lehar :
Box Folder3 26 Set sketch
Iphigenie auf Tauris, by Christoph Gluck :
Box Folder3 27 LibrettoBox Folder3 27 2 set drawings
Jongleur de Notre Dame, (Der Gaukler unserer lieben frauen), by Massenet :
Box Folder3 28 Libretto, German
3 drawings and plans, watercolor:Box Folder3 28 --I: outside abbeyBox Folder3 28 --Act II: inside cloisterBox Folder3 28 --Act III: Chapel
Königskinder, by Engelbert Humperdinck :
Box Folder3 29 Technical drawing
Landschaft :
Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 14
3 30 2 landscape drawings
Love's Labor Lost :
Box Folder4 1 Playbook, German
Lustigen Weiber von Windsor (The Merry Wives of Windsor) Opera by Otto Nikolai :
Box Folder4 2 Libretto
Nozze de Figaro (Marriage of Figaro) :
Box Folder4 3 Libretto, German
Pariser Leben, by Jacques Offenbach :
Box Folder4 4 3 set drawings
Puppenmädel, operetta by Leo Fall, Leo Stein and Alfred Maria Willner :
Box Folder4 5 4 set drawings
Rienzi, by Richard Wagner :
Box Folder4 6 LibrettoBox Folder4 6 Set notes & sketches, 14 p.
Roméo et Juliette :
Box Folder4 7 Set sketch
Rose vom Liebesgarten, opera by Hans Pfitzner :
Box Folder4 8Box FolderB2 3 2 set sketches
Schneemann, Der, Erich Wolfgang Korngold :
Box Folder4 9 Set sketch
Sirene, Die, by Leo Fall, Leo Stein and Alfred Maria Willner :
Box Folder4 10 2 set sketches
Sister Beatrice and Sumurün :
Box Folder4 11 Clipping and 2 postcards
Tiefland, opera by Eugen d'Albert :
Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 15
4 12 Ground planBox FolderC1 11 Elevation drawing
Die Tote Stadt, Erich Wolfgang Korngold :
Box Folder4 13 Libretto
Verborgte Schloss :
Box Folder4 14 Set sketch
Waffenschmied, Der, comic opera by Albert Lortzing :
Box Folder4 15 3 ground plans
Wallenstein's Lager, play by Friedrich Schiller :
Box Folder4 16 Ground plan
Xantho, operetta by Jacques Richepin and Xavier Leroux :
Box Folder4 17 2 set sketches
Zerbrochene Krug (The Broken Jug), comedy by Heinrich von Kleist :
Box Folder4 18 4 sketches and notes
Zigeunerliebe, (Gypsy Love), music by Franz Lehar, book by A. M. Willner and Robert Bodanzky :
Box Folder4 19 1 set drawing
1.4: Illustrations
Chronika der drei Schwestern, 1899 :
Box Folder4 20 --3 illustrations, 23x39 cm.Box FolderB2 4 --Medieval street scene, p.8, 24x28 cm.Box FolderB2 5 --p. 34, 29x24 (28x23) cm.
Bookbinding:
Box Folder4 20 Bookbinding, 1899, watercolor, 21x30 cm., sig.
Grimm's Fairy Tales, 1904 :
Box Folder4 20 --4 illustrationsBox FolderA1 7 --Der Froschkönig, 24x25 cm.Box FolderB2 6 --Rapunzel, 24x21 cm.
JOSEPH URBAN 16
Box Folder4 20 8 p. Marienkind, 1905
Kling Klang Gloria, 1906 :
Box Folder4 20 --cover, 24x21 cm.Box FolderA1 8 --cover, 23x23 cm.Box Folder4 20 Kaiser Calendar, 1898, 24x16 cm.Box Folder4 20 Bookcover, 1910 <i>Unsere Freiland Stauden</i>, 29x20 cm.Box Folder4 20 Andersen Calendar, 1911
Undated :
Box Folder4 21 16 miscellaneous drawingsBox FolderC1 12 Wienermännergesang verein poster, 48x25 cm.Box FolderB2 7 Imperial Border, 40x27 cm.Box FolderB2 8 Wilhelm II of Germany tribute, 39x20 cm.Box Folder4 21 23 borders and ornamentsBox FolderD1 3 8 borders and ornaments
1.5: Exhibits
Jubiläums-kunst exhibit 1898 :
Box FolderB3 1 catalogBox Folder4 22 3 photographs of furniture, 1898Box Folder4 22 Hevesi article, 4 p.
Hagenbund Exhibition Hall, 1901-1902 :
5 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB2 9 --Entrance, 37x26 (36x25) cm.Box Folder4 22 --Perspective of Hall, 28x17 cm.Box Folder4 22 --Side elevation, 18x28 cm.Box Folder4 22 --Front elevation and ground plan, 29x18 cm.Box Folder4 22 --Ceiling, 19x22 cm.Box Folder4 22 4 magazine clippings
Art show catalogs :
Box FolderB3 2 Watercolor club,1899Box FolderB3 3 Secession 14th exhibit
JOSEPH URBAN 17
Box FolderB3 4 Vienna Art Show, 1908
Hagenbund Exhibits :
Box FolderB3 5-36 32 Hagenbund exhibit catalogs, 1902-1906Box Folder4 23-26 4 Hagenbund catalogs, 1905, 1908, 1910Box Folder4 22 1902 exhibit, Playroom, sig.Box Folder5 1 & 2 56 photographs of exhibits (2 sets of 28) Box Folder5 5 14 St. Louis World's Fair photograph and copiesBox Folder5 5 1905, 14 photographs of exhibitBox FolderC2 1 1905-06, exhibit #19, Wall elevation, 38x40 cm.Box FolderC2 2 1906, 2 plans for 20th ExhibitBox Folder5 5 1906, 4 photographs of 20th Oct-Nov exhibitBox Folder5 5 15 photographs of exhibits, unidentifiedBox Folder5 5 1908, 19 exhibit photographsBox Folder5 5 1906 London announcement, 16x11 cm.Box FolderD1 4 1910, elevation of Redlich exhibit room, 58x41 cm.
1.6: Unidentified
Box Folder5 3 Playbooks, MoliereBox Folder5 6 17 watercolor drawingsBox Folder5 6 22 drawings and plansBox Folder5 6 9 photographsBox FolderA1 9-10 9 drawingsBox FolderB2 10 Clock elevation, 21x29 cm., sig.Box FolderC2 3 3 elevationsBox FolderD1 5 Vorraum elevationsMapcase Folder14-9-1 A.4 Plans for home and office
II. BOSTON OPERA, 1910-1914
Joseph Urban was made artistic director of the Boston Opera Company beginning with the 1912-1913 season. The previous season, he had designed four operas for the Boston Opera while working in Vienna with Heinrich Lefler. This series contains files on all the productions from the repertory in chronological order. Each production is listed by title, opening date and production information. The production information is based on contemporary reviews taken from microfilm readings of the Boston Transcript and the Boston Herald. Those sets that Urban
JOSEPH URBAN 18
redesigned or retouched are so noted in parentheses after the title information. In addition to the drawings, plans, and photographs, the files contain production records--light plots, cast lists, set lists, line drops, etc
La Scala invoice for operas Mefistofele, Faust, Lakmé, Manon and Roméo et Juliette :
Box Folder5 7 Costume Invoice September 1910, 4 p.Mapcase Folder14-9-1 A5 Ground Plan, Mefistofele
Pelléas et Mélisande, January 10, 1912 (New)
Opera in 5 acts by Claude Debussy, adapted from the play by Maurice Maeterlinck, conducted by André Caplet with Vanni Marcoux as Golaud, Georgette LeBlanc as Mélisande and Jean Riddez as Pelléas.
Box Folder5 4 Maeterlinck playbook incl. Pelléas et MélisandeBox Folder5 8 1 drawing of dungeon, pencil Box FolderC2 4 10 technical drawingsBox Folder5 8 10 technical drawingsBox FolderC2 4 2 drawings of furniture, watercolor Box Folder5 8 Production notes, 25 p.Box Folder5 8 7 photographs of sets
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, March 21, 1925
Hänsel und Gretel, January 27,1912 (New)
Opera by Engelbert Humperdinck, libretto by Adelheid Wette, after a fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers, conducted by Wallace Goodrich with Bernice Fisher as Gretel, Jeska Swartz as Hänsel, Maria Claessens as the Witch, Otto Goritz as Peter and Florence De Courcy as the Sandman.
6 drawings, watercolor & ink:Box Folder5 9 --5 details of shoes and head piecesBox FolderB2 11 --Details of wigs and head pieces
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, November 5, 1927
Tristan und Isolde, February 12, 1912 (New)
Opera in 3 acts by Richard Wagner, conducted by Felix Weingartner, with Johanna Gadski as Isolde, Jacques Urlus as Tristan, Pasquale Amato as Kurvenal and Edward Lankow as King Marke
Box Folder5 10 LibrettoBox Folder5 10 Set notes in German
Set drawing, watercolor and pencil:Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 19
5 10 --Act I: boat sceneBox Folder5 10 2 elevations of Act I and IIBox FolderD1 6 2 technical drawingsBox Folder5 10 Electrical plotBox Folder5 10 5 photographs of sets
Note: See also Vienna, 1909-11; Theater, Interstate Opera 1916;Metropolitan Opera, November 20, 1920
Werther, March 1, 1912
Opera by Jules Massenet, conducted by André Caplet
Box Folder5 11 Production notes, 3 p.
Germania, March 9, 1912
Opera by Alberto Franchetti, conducted by Arnaldo Conti with Bernice Fisher as Jane, Ramon Blanchart as Crisogono, Madeleine D'Olige as Jebbel, Pasquale Amato as Carlo Worms, Carmen Melis as Ricke and Giovanni Zenatello as Loewe.
Box Folder5 12 Production notes, 2 p.
Le Martyre de Sebastien, March 30, 1912
Music by Claude Debussy, conducted by André Caplet with Evelyn Scotney and Jeska Swartz.
Box Folder5 13 2 set notesBox Folder5 13 2 set sketches
Les Contes d'Hoffmann, November 25, 1912 (New)
Opera by Jacques Offenbach, libretto & book by Jules Barbier, after a play by Barbier & Michel Carré based on the stories of the poet E.T.A. Hoffmann, conducted by André Caplet with Edmond Clément as Hoffmann, Vanni Marcoux as Lindorf, Coppélius, Dappertutto and Dr. Miracle, Elvira Leveroni as Niklausse, Bernice Fisher as Olympia and Louise Edvina as Antonia.
Box Folder6 1 LibrettoBox Folder6 1 Clipping from German magazineBox Folder6 1 3 set sketches, Opéra Comique productionBox Folder6 1 Set notes, 31 p.Box Folder6 1 Production notes, 11 p.
17 drawings, watercolor, pencil and ink:Box Folder6 1 --7 costume drawingsBox Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 20
B2 12 & 13 --2 costume drawings, GiuliettaBox Folder6 1 --6 set detailsBox FolderB2 14 --2 set detailsBox Folder6 1 1/2 detail of elevation, photostatBox FolderB2 14 5 ground plansBox Folder6 1 6 photographs of costume drawings Box Folder6 2 26 photographs of setsBox Folder6 2 Note to Deems Taylor, 1934, ts.
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, November 13, 1924
La Bohême, November 27,1912 (retouched)
Opera by Giacomo Puccini, libretto by Signori Giocosa and Illica, adapted from a novel by Henri Murger, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Lucrezia Bori as Mimì, Léon Laffitte as Rodolfo, Giovanni Polese as Marcello and Fely Dereyne as Musetta.
Box Folder6 3 2 librettosBox Folder6 3 1 p. from Met program, 1913-14Box Folder6 3 2 costume drawings, watercolor and pencil Box Folder6 3 3 ground plansBox Folder6 3 1 cast list from December 6 performanceBox Folder6 3 5 production notes, 6 p.Box Folder6 3 2 photographs of sets
Madama Butterfly, November 29, 1912 (New)
Opera by Giacomo Puccini, libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa & Luigi Illica, after a play by David Belasco, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Riccardo Martin as Pinkerton, Emmy Destinn as Cio-Cio-San and Giovanni Polese as Sharpless.
Box Folder6 4 Libretto, GermanBox Folder6 4 Set notes in German, 8 p.Box FolderB2 15 Act II, watercolor Box Folder6 4 5 ground plansBox FolderB2 16 2 ground plansBox Folder6 4 Production notes, 10 p.Box Folder6 4 6 photographs of set
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, November 24, 1922
JOSEPH URBAN 21
Il Trovatore, November 30, 1912
Opera by Giuseppe Verdi, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Gertrude Rennyson as Leonora, Léon Laffitte as Manrico, Ramon Blanchart as Di Luna and Maria Claessens as Azucena.
Box Folder6 5 LibrettoBox Folder6 5 Production notes, 21 p.Box Folder6 5 4 ground plansBox FolderB4 1 3 ground plansBox Folder6 5 1 set photograph of III.1
Tosca, December 2, 1912 (retouched)
Opera by Giacomo Puccini, book by V. Sardou, L. Illica and G. Giacosa, after Victorien Sardou's play La Tosca, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Mary Garden as Tosca, Vanni Marcoux as Scarpia, Charles Dalmorès as Cavaradossi, and Aristodemo Sillich as Angelotti.
Box Folder6 6 Libretto in GermanBox Folder6 6 2 clippings from programBox Folder6 6 Watercolor drawing of Act III: Castle TerraceBox Folder6 6 Set notes, 8 p.Box Folder6 6 2 ground plans Box Folder6 6 Production notes, 16 p.Box Folder6 6 3 photographs of set
Thaïs, December 7, 1912 (retouched)
Opera by Jules Massenet, libretto by Louis Gallet, after a novel by Anatole France, conducted by André Caplet with Mary Garden as Thaïs, Vanni Marcoux as Athanael and Charles Dalmorés as Nicias.
Box Folder6 7 Set notes, 7 p.Box Folder6 7 Production notes,18 p.Box Folder6 7 2 photographs of set
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, December 14, 1922
Lucia di Lammermoor, December 14, 1912
Opera by Gaetano Donizetti, conducted by Ralph Lyford with Evelyn Scotney as Lucia, Umberto Sacchetti as Edgardo, Rodolfo Fornari as Enrico and Ernesto Giaccone as Arturo.
Box Folder6 8 Production notes, 20 p.Box Folder6 8 Photograph of set
JOSEPH URBAN 22
Louise, December 18,1912 (New)
Opera by Gustave Charpentier, conducted by André Caplet with Louise Edvina as Louise, Edmond Clément as Julien, Maria Gay as La Mère and Vanni Marcoux as Le Père.
Box Folder6 9 2 references clippings
3 set renderings, watercolor:Box Folder6 9 --Act I & IV: GarretBox Folder6 9 --Act II: At the foot of MontmartreBox Folder6 9 --Act III: GardenBox Folder6 9 2 ground plansMapcase Folder14-9-1 A6 1 ground plan, Act IIBox Folder6 9 Production notes, 12 p.Box Folder6 9 5 photographs of set drawing and sets
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, March 1, 1929
La Traviata, December 21, 1912
Opera by Giuseppe Verdi, based on the story by Alexandre Dumas La Dame Aux Camelias, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Evelyn Scotney as Violetta, Alfredo Ramella as Alfredo, Ramon Blanchart as Germont and Attilio Pulcini as Baron Douphol.
Box Folder6 10 3 ground plansBox Folder6 10 Production notes, 11 p.Box Folder6 10 Photograph of set
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, November 14, 1921
Aïda, December 27, 1912 (Retouched)
Opera by Giuseppe Verdi, libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, after a scenario by Auguste Mariette, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Giovanni Zenatello as Radames, Anafesto Rossi as Amonasro, Maria Gay as Amneris and Carmen Melis as Aïda.
Box Folder7 1 2 librettosBox Folder7 1 Set notes in German, 4 p.Box FolderB4 2 4 ground plansBox FolderB25 7 3 costume sketchesBox Folder7 1 Production notes, 19 p.Box Folder7 1 3 photographs of sets
Coppélia, December 28, 1912
JOSEPH URBAN 23
Ballet by Léo Delibes, conducted by Charles Strony with Dolores Galli as Swanilda. Attilio Pulcini as Burgomaster and Cronan as Frantz.
Box FolderB4 3 Ground planBox Folder7 2 Production notes, 5 itemsBox Folder7 2 2 photographs of sets
Cavalleria Rusticana, December 30, 1912
Opera by Pietro Mascagni, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Maria Gay as Santuzza, Umberto Sacchetti as Turiddu, Anafesto Rossi as Alfio.
Box Folder7 3 LibrettoBox Folder7 3 Production notes, 3 p.Box Folder7 3 Photograph of set
Curtain and Concerts, 1912-13
Box Folder7 4Box FolderB4 4 2 ground plans, 1912Box FolderB4 5 2 drawings of drapery ornament, watercolor, Feb 1913
I Pagliacci, January 4, 1913
Opera by Leoncavallo, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Edith Barnes as Nedda, Ramon Blanchart as Tonio, Giuseppe Gaudenzi as Canio and George Everett as Silvio.
Box Folder7 5 LibrettoBox Folder7 5 Village, watercolor, sig.Box Folder7 5 Ground planBox Folder7 5 5 p. production notesBox Folder7 5 Photograph of set
Note: See also Theater, Interstate Opera Company 1916
Carmen, January 15, 1913 (retouched)
Opera by Georges Bizet, libretto by Henri Meilhac & Ludovic Halévy, after a novel by Prosper Mérimée, conducted by Charles Strony with Giovanni Zenatello as Don Jose, Maria Gay as Carmen and José Mardones as Escamillo.
Box Folder7 6 LibrettoBox Folder7 6 Clipping of Met stage sets Box Folder7 6 8 ground plans
JOSEPH URBAN 24
Box FolderB4 6 4 ground plansBox Folder7 6 28 production notesBox Folder7 6 2 photographs of set
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, November 22, 1923]
I Gioielli della Madonna, January 17, 1913 (New)
Opera by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, libretto by Carlo Zangarini & Enrico Golisciani, with Giovanni Zenatello as Gennaro, Maria Gay as Carmela, Louise Edvina as Maliella and Vanni Marcoux as Raffaele.
Box Folder7 7 Synopsis in German, 24 p.Box Folder7 7 Article in German, 1 p.Box FolderB4 7 3 prints of Charlottenburg sets by von Plessen
3 renderings, watercolor:Box Folder7 7 --2 costume renderings, Madonna, 24x14 cm.Box Folder7 7 --Procession scene, 17x31 cm.Box Folder7 7 2 rough sketchesBox Folder7 7 3 ground plans, Berlin opera houseBox FolderB4 7 1 ground plan Box Folder7 7 1 cast listBox Folder7 7 9 photographs of sets
Rigoletto, January 25, 1913
Opera by Giuseppe Verdi, libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, after the play by Victor Hugo Le roi s'amuse, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Evelyn Scotney as Gilda, Michele Sampieri as Monterone, Rodolfo Fornari as Rigoletto and Alfredo Ramella as the Duke.
Box Folder7 8 1 cast listBox Folder7 8 1 set of production notes, 17 p.Box Folder7 8 1 set photo
Don Giovanni, February 7, 1913 (New)
Opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, conducted by Felix Weingartner with Vanni Marcoux as Don Giovanni, Adamo Didur as Leporello, John McCormack as Don Ottavio, Emmy Destinn as Donna Anna and Elizabet Amsden as Donna Elvira.
Box Folder7 9 Cast listBox Folder7 9 Libretto
JOSEPH URBAN 25
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil:Box Folder7 9 --Act I: Garden scene, signed by ErrolBox Folder7 9 3 ground plansBox FolderB4 8 3 technical drawingsBox Folder7 9 Production notes, 6 p.Box Folder7 9 13 retouched photos of sets Box Folder7 10 22 photographs of sets and set drawings
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, November 29, 1929
La Fanciulla del West, February 21, 1913
Opera by Giacomo Puccini, libretto by Guelfo Civinini & Carlo Zangorini, based on the play by David Belasco The Girl of the Golden West, with Carmen Melis as Minnie, Giovanni Polese as Jack Rance and Giovanni Zenatello as Dick Johnson.
Box Folder7 11 Ground planMapcase Folder14-9-1 A7 3 ground plansBox Folder7 11 Production notes, 9 p.Box Folder7 11 2 photographs of set
Djamileh, February 24, 1913 (New)
American premiere of opera by Georges Bizet, libretto by Louis Gallet, after the story by Alfred de Musset Namouna, conducted by Felix Weingartner with Lucille Marcel as Djamileh, Léon Laffitte as Haroun and Ernesto Giaccone as Spendiano.
Box Folder7 12 Libretto Box Folder7 12 Set notes in German, 34 p. Box Folder7 12 3 rough set sketches:3 rough set sketches
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil: 1 drawing, watercolor and pencilBox FolderB4 9 --wall elevation, 22x29 (22x23) cm., sig.Box Folder7 12 Production notes, 2 p.Box Folder7 12 3 photographs of set
Faust, February 26,1913 (redesigned costumes, retouched)
Opera by Charles Gounod, libretto by Jules Barbier & Michel Carré, adapted from the dramatic poem by Goethe, conducted by Felix Weingartner with Giovanni Zenatello as Faust, Lucille Marcel as Marguerite and Vanni Marcoux as Méphistophélès.
Box Folder7 13 2 librettosBox Folder7 13 1 costume drawing, watercolor
JOSEPH URBAN 26
Box FolderB4 10 4 ground plansBox Folder7 13 Production notes, 18 p.Box Folder7 13 12 photographs of costume and set drawings
Note: See also Vienna 1906-07 and Metropolitan Opera, 1917 and 1923
La Forêt Bleue, March 8, 1913 (American premiere) (New)
Opera by Louis Aubert, conducted by André Caplet with Fernand De Potter as Prince Charming, Jean Riddez as the Orge, Carmen Melis as the Princess, Jeska Swartz as Tom Thumb and Bernice Fisher as Little Red Riding -Hood.
Box Folder7 14 Libretto Box Folder7 14 Synopsis, 5 p.Box Folder7 14 Production notes, 9 p.Box Folder7 14 4 photographs of sets
Samson et Dalila, March 12, 1913 (retouched)
Opera by Camille Saint-Saëns, libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire, conducted by André Caplet with Maria Gay as Dalila, Giovanni Zenatello as Samson and Jean Riddez as the High Priest.
Box Folder7 15 LibrettoBox Folder7 15 Postcard of setBox Folder7 15 Set rendering, watercolorBox Folder7 15 Production notes, 11 p. Box Folder7 15 2 photographs of costume and set
Il Segreto di Susanna, March 17,1913 (New)
Opera by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, libretto by Max Kalbeck, adapted from a book by Enrico Golisciani, conducted by André Caplet with Antonio Scotti as Count Gil, Alice Nielsen as Countess Gil and Luigi Tavecchia as Sante.
Box Folder8 1 LibrettoBox Folder8 1 1 p. of sample fabrics, costumeBox FolderB4 11 Drawing of back wall, watercolorBox Folder8 1 2 watercolor drawings, side wall and detailBox Folder8 1 10 plans and sketchesBox FolderD1 7 3 ground plansBox Folder8 1 Production notes, 8 p.Box Folder8 1 6 photographs of set
JOSEPH URBAN 27
Martha, March 24, 1913
Opera by Friedrich von Flotow, libretto W. Friedrich, after an idea by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Alice Nielsen as Lady Harriet, Maria Gay as Nancy, Max Lipmann as Lionel and Edward Lankow as Plunkett.
Box FolderD1 8 1 ground plan, Act III & VBox Folder8 2 2 set notes and planBox Folder8 2 Production notes, 8 p.Box Folder Photograph of set
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera December 14, 1923
Monna Vanna, December 5, 1913 (New)
Opera by Henri Février, based on a play by Maurice Maeterlinck, conducted by André Caplet with Vanni Marcoux as Guido, Mary Garden as Monna Vanna and Lucien Muratore as Prinzivalle.
Box Folder8 3 Libretto, GermanBox Folder8 3 Production notes, 31 p.Box Folder8 3 3 working photographs
3 set renderings, watercolor on board:Box Folder8 3 --Act I: InteriorBox Folder8 3 --Act II: Tent (painted photo)Box Folder8 3 --Act III: TerraceBox Folder8 3 2 watercolor sketches with planBox Folder8 3 2 detail drawings, watercolor, 1 sig.Mapcase Folder14-9-2 1 5 technical drawingsBox Folder8 3 11 photographs of sets and scenes
Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), December 13, 1913
Opera by Gioachino Rossini, libretto by Cesare Sterbini, adapted from the play by Pierre-Augustin Beaumarchais, conducted by Arnaldo Schiavoni with Hazel Sanborn as Rosina, Rodolfo Fornari as Figaro, Luigi Tavecchia as Dr. Bartolo and Alfredo Ramella as Il Conte D'Almaviva.
Box Folder8 4 2 ground plansBox FolderB4 12 Ground plan, Act IBox Folder8 4 Production notes, 6 p. Box Folder8 4 Photograph of Act II
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera November 27, 1919
JOSEPH URBAN 28
Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg, January 23, 1914 (New)
Opera by Richard Wagner, conducted by André Caplet with Johanna Gadski as Eva, Robert Leonhardt as Beckmesser, Paolo Ludikar as Hans Sachs and Carl Jörn as Walther.
Box Folder8 5 Reference materialMapcase Folder14-9-2 2 Reference material
7 drawings, watercolor and pencil on board:Box Folder8 5 --Act I: Church , 19x26 cm.Box Folder8 5 --Property elevations, 19x27 cm., sig.Box FolderB4 13 --Act II: Costumes, night scene, 18x26 cm., sig.Box FolderB4 14 --Act III: Costumes, open meadow, sig.Box FolderB4 15 --Act III.2: details, 29x19.5 cm., sig.Box FolderB4 16 --Act III.2: platform elevation, 22x26 cm., sig.Box FolderB4 17 --Property details, 28.5x19 cm., sig.Mapcase Folder14-9-2 2 2 technical drawingsBox Folder8 5 Production notes, 15 p. Box Folder8 5 17 photographs of sets and set drawings
Note: See also Vienna, 1908, 1909-11
La Gioconda, February 6, 1914
Opera by Amilcare Ponchielli, libretto by Tobia Gorrio, after the play by Victor Hugo Angélo, tyran de Padoue, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Emmy Destinn as La Gioconda, Florencio Constantino as Enzo, Marguerite D'Alvarez as Laura and Mario Ancona as Barnaba.
Box Folder8 6 Production notes, 6 p.Box FolderB4 18 Ground plan
L'Amore dei Tre Re, February 9, 1914 (New)
Opera in three acts by Italo Montemezzi, adapted from poem by Sem Benelli, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Edoardo Ferrari-Fontana as Avito, Lucrezia Bori as Fiora and Pasquale Amato as Manfredo.
Box Folder8 7 LibrettoBox Folder8 7 3 photographs of Met productionBox Folder8 7 1 page from Met programBox FolderB4 19 Ground planBox Folder8 7 Ground plan and elevationBox Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 29
8 7 1 cast listBox Folder8 7 10 photographs of costumes, sets and set drawings
Manon, March 18, 1914
Opera by Jules Massenet, libretto by Henri Meilhac & Philippe Gille, after the novel by Antoine-Francois Prevost, L'histoire du chevalier de Grieux et de Manon Lescaut, conducted by Edouard Tournon with Jenny Dufau as Manon, Lucien Muratore as Des Grieux and Alban Grand as De Brétigny.
Box Folder8 8 3 p. from Met programBox Folder8 8 5 photographs of set
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera December 22, 1928
Otello, Paris Tour, May 5, 1914 (New)
Opera by Giuseppe Verdi, libretto by Francesco Berio di Salsa, based on the play by William Shakespeare, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Edoardo Ferrari-Fontana as Otello, Vanni Marcoux as Iago and Nellie Melba as Desdemona.
Box Folder8 9 LibrettoBox Folder8 9 Playbook
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil:Box Folder8 9 --Iago Box FolderB4 20 --Act II: GardenBox Folder8 9 --Act III: Castle interior, sig.Box Folder8 9 --Act III: Castle detailBox Folder8 9 Article on Verdi, 1 p.Box Folder8 9 3 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-1 A.8 7 ground plansBox Folder8 9 Production notes, 6 p.Box Folder8 9 15 photographs of sets and set drawings
Parsifal, Paris Tour, June 3, 1914 (New)
Opera by Richard Wagner, conducted by Felix Weingartner with Johannes Sembach as Parsifal, Margarete Matzenauer as Kundry and August Kiess as Klingsor.
Box Folder8 10 2 librettos in German, pamphletsBox Folder8 10 1 libretto in German, hardbackBox Folder8 10 Clipping of scenesBox Folder9 1 4 German post cards
JOSEPH URBAN 30
Box Folder9 1 Act I.1: Spring, painted photographBox Folder9 1 Sketch, Klingsor towerBox Folder9 1 Drawing, watercolor and pencil:
--Klingsor tower detailBox Folder9 1 6 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder9 1 1 newspaper article, German
Note: See also Metropolitan Opera, February 19, 1920
Francesca Da Rimini, 1914
Box Folder9 2 Swedish transportation scheduleBox Folder9 2 LibrettoBox Folder9 2 3 sketchesBox FolderB4 21 4 ground plansBox Folder9 2 10 photographs of set drawings and costumes
Louse Edvina, Musical America, 1/29/16
Box FolderB4 21
La Muette de Portici, (Dumb Girl of Portici) November 23, 1915 (New)
Opera by Daniel Auber, libretto by Eugene Scribe, conducted by Agide Jacchia with Anna Pavlowa as Fenella, Giovanni Zenatello as Masaniello and Giori Michailoff as Alfonso.
Box Folder9 3 Notes and sketches, 6 p.
3 drawings, watercolor :Box Folder9 3 --Act II: islandBox Folder9 3 --Act IV: fountain, stone lionBox Folder9 3 --Act V: interiorBox Folder9 3 5 technical drawingsBox FolderB4 22 Ground plan, Act I
Undated Articles
Box Folder9 4 Les Arts Décoratifs au Théâtre, 5 p.
Boston Office
JOSEPH URBAN 31
Box Folder9 5 2 photographs of studio office
Don Pasquale, Donizetti
Performed in the 1909-10, 1910-11 seasons
Box Folder9 6 1 clipping of set designBox Folder9 6 1 librettoBox Folder9 6 3 production notesBox Folder9 6 1 photograph of set
Elijah, Oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn
Box Folder9 7 Drawing, Rocky landscape, sig.
Erste Walpurgisnacht, Die, Mendelssohn
2 drawings, watercolor, sig. :
Box Folder9 8 --Costume, 20 furies, 20x17 cm.Box Folder9 8 --Costume, druids, detail 13, 20x16 cm.Box Folder9 8 Notes and sketches, 17 p.Box Folder9 8 11 photographs of sets & costumes
Habañera, Raoul La Parra
Performed in the 1909-1910, 1911-12 season
Box Folder9 9 Libretto
Hippodamia, Andre Campra
Box Folder9 10 Set notes, 6 p.Box Folder9 10 Notes and sketches, 15 p.Box FolderB4 23 Plan
Lakmé, Léo Delibes
Performed in the 1909-10 season
Box Folder9 11 Production notes, 4 p.Box Folder9 11 4 photographs of sets
JOSEPH URBAN 32
Librettos
Box Folder9 12 --Ballo in MascheraBox Folder9 12 --Boris GodunovBox Folder9 12 --ConchitaBox Folder9 12 --Forza del Destino overtureBox Folder9 12 --Nozze de FigaroBox Folder9 12 --Orfeo ed Euridice libretto, piano scoreBox Folder9 12 --Siegfried, 2 librettos
Loeffler's Opera, Charles Martin Loeffler
Box Folder9 13 Notes, German, 7 p.
Mignon, Abroise Thomas
Performed in the 1911-12 season.
Box Folder9 14 LibrettoBox Folder9 14 Production notes, 3 p.
Parisina, Pietro Mascagni
Box Folder9 15 Newspaper clipping, 1913
Pipe of Desire, Frank S. Converse
Box Folder9 16 LibrettoBox Folder9 16 Script, Italian, 15 p.Box Folder9 16 Line Drops, 1 p.Box Folder9 16 2 photographs of scenes
Sacrifice, Frank S. Converse
Performed in the 1910-11 season
Box Folder9 17 Production notes, 3 p.Box Folder9 17 3 photographs of sets
JOSEPH URBAN 33
III.. NEW YORK
This series is arranged chronologically within five subseries: Theater, Ziegfeld, Met, Film, and Architecture and Design. The series are preceded by a listing of general files in which photograph scrapbooks, clippings scrapbooks and Square Yard Books are followed by undated and unidentified files. The clippings scrapbooks are the major source for Urban's New York career and document some projects and activities not found in the archive. The square yard books contain drawings and measurements of set pieces for opera, theater and film sets. There is very little documentation in the form of letters, contracts, and financial accounts. Numerous photographs of sets and set models are to be found but production photographs are rare.
3.1: General Files
Box A2-A6 4 Photo scrapbooks, 1912-1933
Clipping Scrapbooks 1914-1933 Mcrofilm [6/2034-2036, 98/10117-10119]
Box Folder10 1-4 5 Square Yard Books, 1922-1925Box Folder10 5 Inventory of pounces, 1933
3.2: Undated
Studio-Yonkers :
Box Folder10 6 7 photographs of Yonkers studioBox Folder10 6 2 drawings of proposed studioBox Folder10 7 Reference
Unidentified drawings :
Box Folder10 8 45 drawings and photographsBox Folder10 9 26 sketches and notesBox Folder11 1 16 photographs
3.3: Theater, 1914-1933
This subseries records the productions that Urban designed for producers other than Florenz Ziegfeld. It contains reference material, scripts, watercolor drawings, technical drawings, photographs and programs, and is arranged chronologically. Each production is listed by title, followed by the opening date and production information. The production information is from:
Bordman, Gerald M. American Theatre, New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.
Leiter, Samuel. The Encyclopedia of the New York Stage. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1989
Mantle, Burns, ed. The Best Plays Series. New York: Dodd, Mead and Co.
Box Folder11 2 Articles on set design, 1934, 1966Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 34
11 3 Trees & bordersBox Folder11 4 Undated scripts
Twelfth Night, November 23, 1914 :
Play by William Shakespeare, revived by Liebler and Co. (George C. Tyler) at the Liberty Theater with Eben Plympton, Walter Creighton, Henry E. Dixey, Edith Campbell Walker, Jessie Busley and Phyllis Neilson-Terry. 8 performances.
Box Folder11 5 PlayBox Folder11 5 Production notes, 11 p.
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box Folder11 5 --I. Orsino's Palace, 19x29 (16x27) cm.Box FolderB5 4 --I.5: before Olivia's House, 19x29 (16x27) cm.Box Folder11 5 --II.2: Olivia's Garden, 19x29 (16x27) cm.Box Folder11 5 --III.2: Malvolio's Prison, 19x29 (16x27) cm.Box Folder11 5 6 set sketchesBox FolderC2 7 2 plans for portalBox Folder11 5 9 plansBox Folder11 5 9 photos of set drawings
Garden of Paradise, November 28, 1914 :
Play in nine scenes by Edward Sheldon based on The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen, directed by O. P. Heggie, produced by Liebler and Co. (George C. Tyler) at the Park Theater. 17 performances.
Box Folder11 6 & 7 Script, part 1 & 2Box Folder11 8 Booklet, set notes in GermanBox Folder11 8 German article on sea dragonBox Folder11 8 Lefler print for Der Graf von CilliBox Folder11 8 2 reference photosBox Folder11 8 Costume sketch, pencil
7 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder11 8 --costume drawings, Act I,II, 16x20 cm.Box Folder11 8 --costume drawing, Act III, 16x10 cm.Box Folder11 8 --props-chests, 16x24 cm.Box Folder11 8 --Act I: Under the Sea, 13x22 cm.Box Folder11 8 --Act I: Under the Sea, 20x30 cm.Box FolderB5 5 --Under the Sea, Octopus, 25x30 cm.
JOSEPH URBAN 35
Box FolderB5 6 --Glade Scene, 23x36 (21x33) cm., sig.Box Folder11 8 Set sketch, pencilBox FolderD2 5 9 technical drawingsBox Folder11 9 71 photographs of sets & costumes
Behold Thy Wife,1915 :
The show opened and closed in Washington DC
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB5 7 --Act III: Library, 23x36 cm., sig.Box Folder11 10 5 technical drawingsBox FolderD2 6 3 technical drawingsBox Folder11 10 6 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder
Set model
Yesterday or Tomorrow, October 8, 1915 :
Fashion extravaganza in 4 acts, written by Pierre de Lanux, directed by Julian Mitchell, sponsored by the International Fashion Show Association and the New York Globe at Carnegie Hall to aid the Actors' Fund of America.
Box Folder12 1 Script, 18 p.
2 costume renderings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder12 1 --Marguerite costume designBox FolderD2 7 --Costume sketch, maleBox Folder12 1 4 plansBox FolderD2 7 4 technical drawingsBox Folder12 1 1 photograph of proscenium ideaBox Folder12 1 Program
Around the Map (Here Comes Tootsie), November 1, 1915 :
Musical revue in 3 acts, book and lyrics by C. M. S. McLellan, music by Herman Finck, musical numbers staged by Julian Mitchell, directed by Herbert Gresham, produced by Klaw and Erlanger at the New Amsterdam Theater with Hazel Cox, Else Adler, William Norris and Robert Pitkin. 104 performances.
Box Folder12 2 Set notes in German and English
1 drawing-watercolor, sig.Box Folder12 2 ---Act III.2: Sitting Room, 22x33 cm.Box Folder12 2 3 technical drawings
JOSEPH URBAN 36
Box FolderD2 8 2 technical drawingsBox Folder12 2 22 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder12 2 Program, Dec. 6, 1915
Pavlowa Ballet, 1915-1917 :
Urban designed sets for Giselle, Orpheo, and "Snowflakes" from Act I of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil:Box Folder12 3 --Preliminary sketch for OrpheoBox Folder12 3 4 letters/telegrams from V. Dandré, 5 p.Box FolderD2 9 1 ground planBox Folder12 3 6 photographs of set drawings
Macbeth, February 7, 1916 :
Tragedy by William Shakespeare, directed by James K. Hackett at the Criterion Theater with Mr. Hackett as Macbeth and Viola Allen as Lady Macbeth. 40 performances.
Box Folder12 4 Set analysis, 3 p.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB5 8 --Outside the castle, 24x36 (20x32) cm.Box FolderB5 9 --Battlements, 24x36 (20x32) cm., sig.Box Folder12 4 7 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-2 4 25 technical drawingsBox Folder12 4 27 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder
Set model
The Greatest Nation, February 28, 1916 :
Play in 3 acts by Marion Creighton and William Elliott, directed by Cyril Scot, produced by William Elliott at the Booth theater. 16 performances.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB5 10 --Bedroom, 24x33 (21x32) cm.Box Folder12 5 4 details and plansBox FolderD2 10 7 technical drawingsBox Folder12 5 6 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder
Set model.
Pom-Pom, February 28, 1916 :
JOSEPH URBAN 37
Comic opera in 2 acts, book and lyrics by Anne Caldwell, music by Hugo Felix, directed by George Marion, produced by Henry W. Savage at the Cohan Theater. 128 performances.
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box Folder12 6 --Prison Court, 15x23 (12x20) cm.Box Folder12 6 --Green room, 12x20 cm.Box FolderB5 11 --Elephant scene, 23x35 (20x30) cm.Box FolderD2 11 1 planBox Folder12 6 6 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder
Set model
Merry Wives of Windsor, March 20, 1916 :
Comedy by William Shakespeare, produced by James K. Hackett at the Criterion Theater for the Shakespeare tercentenary, directed by Richard Ordynski with Thomas A.Wise, Orrin Johnson, Viola Allen and Henrietta Crosman.
Box Folder12 7 Opera libretto with notes, GermanBox Folder12 7 Playbook, English
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder12 7 --Street Scene, 11x21 cm.Box Folder12 7 --Street Scene, 15x23 (10x18) cm.Box FolderD2 12 5 technical drawingsBox Folder12 7 16 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder
Set model
Caliban of the Yellow Sands, May 24, 1916 :
Masque based on works of Shakespeare by Percy MacKaye, produced by Joseph Urban and Richard Ordynski, inner settings designed by Robert Edmond Jones, with John Drew and Margaret Wycherly at the Lewisohn Stadium of City College of New York.
Box Folder12 8 Letter from Percy MacKaye, March 6, 1916Box Folder12 8 Masque Structure, ts., 2 p.Box Folder12 8 Article, Caliban-1916, ts., 2 p.Box FolderB5 12 Tower detail for stage in pencil, 25x38 cm.Box FolderB5 13 Sight lines, 25x38 cm.
6 drawings, watercolor, sig. :Box FolderD3 1 --ground plan, 42x37 (36x40) cmBox FolderD3 2 --tower detail, 50x38 (41x28) cmMapcase Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 38
14-10-2 2 --stage, 38x76 (34x76) cm.Mapcase Folder14-10-2 4 --ground plan, 82x59 (74x58) cmBox FolderB5 14 --Worship god Osiris, 22x36 (18x30) cm.Box FolderC2 8 --Setebos, 35x43 cm.Box Folder12 8 5 watercolor drawings of interval setsBox Folder12 8 2 programsMapcase Folder12.9-13 1 72 photographsBox Folder13 1 1 photo scrapbook
Flora Bella, September 11, 1916 :
Operetta in 3 acts, book by Felix Doermann, revised and adapted by Cosmo Hamilton, music by Charles Cuvillier and Milton Schwarzwald, produced by John Cort, dances by Carl Randall, directed by Richard Ordynski at the Casino Theater. Moved to the 44th Street Theater on November 27, 1916. 112 performances.
Box Folder13 2 2 photographs of set drawings
Miss Springtime, September 25, 1916. :
Musical comedy in 3 acts, book by Guy Bolton, music by Emmerich Kalman, ensembles by Julian Mitchell, directed by Herbert Gresham, produced by Klaw and Erlanger at the New Amsterdam Theater. 224 performances.
Drawing, watercolor and pencil, sig. : Box FolderB5 15 --Act I: outside Post Office, 37x45 (18x27) cm. Box FolderD3 3 3 technical drawingsBox Folder13 3 10 photographs of set drawings and sets
Othello, 1916 :
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box Folder13 4 --Act II: Dining Hall, 18x25 (14x22) cm.Box Folder13 4 --Act V: Entrance to garden, 18x25 (14x22) cm.Box Folder13 4 --Act V: Desdemona's room, 18x25 (14x22) cm.Box Folder13 4 Script with tip-in letter from James K. Hackett
Interstate Opera Company, 1916 :
Urban was contracted to do 8 sets for this company which was made up of interests from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Cincinnati, joined together as a corporation to bring opera to the interior. The corporation collapsed after the United States entry into the First World War.
Box Folder13 5 Pagliacci
2 ground plansBox Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 39
D3 4 2 ground plans
Lakmé :
Box Folder13 5 Drawing, II: Opening, market group, Detail 14Box FolderD3 5 3 ground plans
Tristan Und Isolde :
Box Folder13 5 Set notes, 5 p.
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB6 1 --Act I: Boat, preliminary sketch, 20x26 (15x23) cm.Box FolderB6 2 --Act I: boat, 1917, 24x33 (21x31) cm.Box FolderB6 3 --Act II: King Mark's Castle, 20x26 (15x23) cm.
1 photograph, retouched with watercolor, sig. : Box Folder13 5 --Act III: Tristan's Courtyard, 16x24 (10x17) cm. Box Folder13 5 3 ground plansBox Folder13 5 5 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder13 5 Clipping
Studio Accounts, 1916-1919, 38 p. :
Box Folder13 6
Nju, March 22, 1917 :
Written by Ossip Dymow, translated by Rosallind Ivin, produced by Joseph Urban and Richard Ordynski at the BandBox Theater with Ann Andrews, Henry Stanford and Thomas Mitchell. 44 performances.
Box Folder13 Clippings, 2 p.Box Folder13 7 Script in GermanBox Folder13 7 Script notes, 4 p.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB31 1 --bedroom, dining room, 23x37 (18x24) cm.Box FolderB31 2 --2 rooms, 30x24 (25x18) cm., sig.Box Folder13 7 Invitation Detail 7Box Folder13 7 3 invitationsBox Folder13 7 Billing and Accounts, 35 p.Box Folder13 7 4 photographs of production
JOSEPH URBAN 40
Riviera Girl, September 24, 1917 :
Musical comedy in 3 acts, music by Emmerich Kalman based on his Czardasfürstin, book and lyrics by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, with songs by Jerome Kern, produced by Klaw and Erlanger at the New Amsterdam with Louis Cassavant and Wilda Bennett. 78 performances.
Box FolderD3 6 6 ground plansBox Folder13 8 5 photographs of set drawings
Jack O'Lantern, October 16, 1917 :
Musical extravaganza in 2 acts by Anne Caldwell and R. H. Burnside, music by Ivan Caryll, directed by R. H. Burnside, produced by Charles Dillingham at the Globe Theater with Fred Stone. Included sets by Homer Ewens and Ernest Albert. 265 performances.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB31 3 --Clown curtain, 26x28 (20x23) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-2 5 6 technical drawingsBox Folder13 9 7 photographs of set drawings
Glorianna, October 28, 1918 :
Play with music in 3 acts, book and lyrics by Catherine Chisholm Cushing, music by Rudolf Friml, directed by Clifford Brooke, produced by John Cort at the Liberty Theater. 96 performances.
Box Folder13 10 1 scriptBox Folder13 10 2 photographs of sets
The Invisible Foe, December 30, 1918. :
Play in 3 acts by Walter Hackett, produced and directed by Thomas Dixon at the Harris Theater with Daisy Vivian and Frank Andrews. 112 performances.
Box FolderC2 9 1 ground planBox Folder13 11 2 photographs of set drawing
London Revue, 1918-1920 :
Albert DeCourville commissioned Urban to make sets for a Follies-style revue in London.
Box Folder13 12 1 agreement and 3 letters regarding set drawings
Belle Hélène,1919, unrealized :
Operetta in 3 acts, music by Jacques Offenbach, director-Richard Ordynski
Box Folder13 13 Libretto
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB6 4 --Act I: Temple, not used, 25x36 cm.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 41
B6 5 --Act II: Boudoir, not used, 24x34 cm.Box FolderB6 6 --Act III: Nauplia, 31x40 cm.Box Folder13 13 5 photographs of set drawings
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall, Detroit symphony, 1919 :
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderD3 7 --Symphony concert set (dated 1925), 43x50 (30x41) cm.Box Folder13 14 2 photographs of set drawing dated 1919
Hitchy Koo, October 6, 1919. :
A revue in 2 parts, book by George V. Hobart, music and lyrics by Cole Porter, produced by Raymond Hitchcock at the Liberty Theater with Raymond Hitchcock, Florence O'Denishawn and Princess White Deer.
Box Folder13 15 4 photographs of sets
Apple Blossoms, (Marriage Knot), October 7, 1919. :
Operetta in prologue and 2 acts, music by Fritz Kreisler and Victor Jacobi, book and lyrics by William Le Baron, produced by Charles Dillingham at the Globe with Adele and Fred Astaire in supporting roles. 236 performances.
Box Folder14 1 5 letters, 1919
5 drawings-Watercolor :Box FolderC3 1 --Act I: School Garden (28x48) cm.Box FolderB6 7 --Act I: School Garden, not used (25x27) cm., sig.Box FolderC3 2 --Act II: Parlor (27x44) cm.Box FolderC3 3 --Act III: Ballroom (28x47) cm.Box FolderB6 8 --Act III: Ballroom, not used (25x28) cm., sig.Box Folder14 1 Sketches and notes, 14 p.Box Folder14 1 2 photographs of set drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-2 6 4 technical drawings
Set model
A Young Man's Fancy, October 15, 1919 :
A comedy in 3 acts by John T. McIntyre, produced by George C. Tyler at The Playhouse with Philip Merivale and Jeanne Eagels.
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB6 9 --Window Garden, 25x35 (18x28) cm.Box FolderB6 10 --Shop Window, 25x35 (18x28) cm.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 42
B6 11 --Dining Room, 21x32 (16x28) cm.Box FolderB6 12 --NY Street Scene at Night, 25x35 (18x28) cm.Box FolderA1 15 Working photographBox Folder14 2 Sketches, 2 p. Box FolderD3 8 8 technical drawingsBox Folder14 2 7 photographs of set drawings
Rose of China, November 25, 1919 :
Musical comedy by Guy Bolton, lyrics by P. G. Wodehouse, music by Armand Vecsey, produced by F. Ray Comstock and Morris Gest at the Lyric Theater with Oscar Shaw, Jane Richardson and Edna May Oliver. 6 weeks.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB6 13 --I: garden, 30x41 (23x36) cm.Box FolderB6 14 --II: bungalow, 24x36 (21x34) cm.Box Folder14 3 11 notes and sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-2 7 2 ground plans Box Folder14 3 2 photographs of set drawings
Smilin' Through, December 30, 1919 :
Play in prolog and 3 acts by Allan Langdon Martin, directed by Priestly Morrison, produced by the Selwyns at the Broadhurst Theater with Jane Cowl, Henry Stephenson and Orme Caldara.
Box Folder14 4 2 scripts
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB7 1 --Garden gate, 25x37 (19x27) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-2 8 6 technical drawingsBox Folder14 4 4 photographs of set drawings
Singer Midgets, 1920-1923 :
5 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder14 5 --Chapel of Wedding Bells, 23x19 (16x15) cm., sig.Box Folder14 5 --Chapel, 23x18.5 (16x15) cm.Box Folder14 5 --Gingerbread House, 15x26 (14x26) cm., sig.Box Folder14 5 --Ice Cream Pavilion, 19x23 (11x18) cm., sig.Box Folder14 5 --Post Office, signed, 19x23 (14x14) cm., sig.Box Folder14 5 1 photograph of Village set
Merry Widow, September 5, 1921 :
JOSEPH URBAN 43
Operetta in 3 acts, music by Franz Lehar, lyrics by Adrian Ross, produced by Henry W. Savage, directed by George Marion at the Knickerbocker Theater with Lydia Lipkowska, Reginald Pasch and Jefferson De Angelis. 56 performances.<p>Urban designed the sets but asked to have his name removed from the production due to a disagreement with Savage over the design of the 3rd act.
Box Folder14 6 ScriptBox Folder14 6 3 ground plans Mapcase Folder14-9-1 A10 5 technical drawingsBox Folder14 6 Notes on Savage/Urban disagreement, 4 p.Box Folder14 6 3 photographs of set drawings
The Love Letter, October 4, 1921 :
Musical comedy in 3 acts adapted from The Phantom Rival by Ferenc Molnar, book and lyrics by William Le Baron, music by Victor Jacobi, directed by Edward Royce, produced by Charles Dillingham at the Globe Theater with John Charles Thomas, and Fred and Adele Astaire. 31 performances.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil:Box FolderB31 4 --dream scene, 26x13 (16x25) cm Box Folder14 7 Sketches and notes, 11 p.Mapcase Folder14-9-2 9 9 technical drawingsBox Folder14 7 1 program
Blaue Mazur, 1921 :
Urban had agreed to design the Lehar operetta for Henry W. Savage. The project was canceled after Urban and Savage had a disagreement regarding the sets for The Merry Widow.
Box Folder14 8 Director's playbook
Yankee Princess, October 2, 1922 :
Musical comedy adapted from the Viennese operetta Die Bajadere by Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald, with book by William Le Baron, lyrics by B. G. De Sylva, music by Emmerich Kalman, choreographed by Julian Mitchell, directed by Fred G. Latham, produced by A. L. Erlanger at the Knickerbocker Theater with Vivienne Segal and Thorpe Bates. 80 performances.
3 set renderings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder14 9 --Act I: Theater Lobby, 21x31 (16x25) cm.Box Folder14 9 --Act II: Princess Room, 20x30 (16x25) cm.Box Folder14 9 --Act III: Club room, 21x31 (16x25) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-2 10 4 technical drawings
Dream Girl, August 20, 1924 :
The premiere of this musical, produced by Lee and J. J. Shubert at the Ambassador Theater and starring Fay Bainter was designed by Watson Barratt.
JOSEPH URBAN 44
Box Folder14 10 Script notes
Orpheum Circuit, 1925 :
Box FolderD3 9 3 blueprints
14 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB7 2 --Garden, 26x32 (15x23) cm.Box FolderB7 3 --Mountain panorama, 25x33 (13x21) cm.Box FolderB7 4 --Pavilion, 25x33 (13x21) cm.Box FolderB7 5 --Club room, 25x32 (16x25) cm.Box FolderB7 6 --Terrace, 26x36 (13x21) cm. Box FolderB7 7 --Library, 23x35 (13x21) cm.Box FolderB7 8 --White interior, 26x33 (13x21) cm.Box FolderB7 9 --Drawing room drop, 26x31 (13x21) cm.Box FolderB7 10 --Street Scene, 24x35 (18x29) cm.Box FolderB7 11 --Oriental city, 25x33 (19x29) cm.Box FolderB7 12 --Park drop, 26x31 (14x22) cm.Box FolderB7 13 --Drawing room, 26x31 (13x21) cm.Box FolderB7 14 --Portal, not used, 23x31 (16x27) cm.Box FolderB7 15 --Conservatory, 26x31 (13x21) cm.Box Folder14 11 1 scaled drawing of eagle
Mayflower Hotel Stage Setting, 1925 :
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder14 12 --Woman fg., street sceneBox Folder14 12 --Champs Elysees, 21x26 (11x16) cm.Box Folder14 12 --stage setting, 22x25 cmBox Folder14 12 9 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-2 11 11 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-2 11 1 drawing of slouching pantherBox Folder14 12 1 photograph of stage setting
Human Nature (Gun Powder), September 24, 1925 :
Comedy in 3 acts by J. C. and Elliott Nugent, produced by Gene Buck, directed by J. C. Nugent and Frederick Stanhope with Mary Duncan, Brandon Tynan, John Marston and Frank Conroy at the Liberty Theater. 4 performances
Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 45
14 13 3 technical drawingsBox Folder14 13 1 job orderMapcase Folder14-9-2 12 7 technical drawings
Set model
Tale of the Wolf, October 7, 1925 :
Comedy in 3 acts by Ferenc Molnar, produced by Charles Frohman Inc., directed by Frank Reicher at the Empire Theater with Phyllis Povah, Roland Young and Wallace Eddinger. 13 performances.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB8 1 --Act I: Cabaret interior, 26x31 (17x25) cm.Box FolderB8 2 --Act II: Room, Kelemen House, 22x33 (17x11) cm.Box Folder14 14 9 sketches & notesMapcase Folder14-9-2 13 11 technical drawings
Set model
Antonia, October 20, 1925 :
Written by Melchior Lengyel, adapted by Arthur Richman, directed by George Cukor, produced by Charles Frohman, Inc. with Marjorie Rambeau at the Empire Theater. 55 performances.
Mapcase Folder14-9-2 14 12 technical drawingsBox Folder14 15 2 sketches of detailsBox Folder14 15 2 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder14 15 Program
Song of the Flame, December 30, 1925 :
Romantic opera in prologue, two acts and epilogue, book and lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Herbert Stothart and George Gershwin, costumes by Mark Mooring, choreographed by Jack Haskell, produced by Arthur Hammerstein, directed by Frank Reicher at the Forty-fourth Street Theater with Tessa Kosta as Aniuta and Guy Robertson as Volodya. 224 performances.
Mapcase Folder14-9-2 15 33 technical drawingsBox Folder14 16 I.5: ElevationBox Folder14 16 2 programsBox Folder
Set model
Duchess of Elba, 1925-1926 :
Written by Rudolph Lothar.
3 watercolor drawings by Gretl Urban, sig.:Box Folder14 17 --Act I: Store scene, 19x29 (10x20) cm.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 46
14 17 --Act II: Sitting Room, 18x29 (10x18) cm.Box Folder14 17 --Act III: Bedroom, 19x29 (12x25) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-2 16 6 technical drawingsBox Folder14 17 2 set sketchesBox Folder14 17 1 sketch of NapoleonBox Folder14 17 1 wallpaper sampleBox Folder
Set model
Wild Rose (Hawthorne of the USA), October 20, 1926 :
Musical comedy in 2 acts, book and lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Rudolf Friml, choreographed by Busby Berkeley, costumes by Mark Mooring, directed by William J. Wilson, produced by Arthur Hammerstein at the Martin Beck Theater with Joseph Santley, Desiree Ellinger and William Collier. 61 performances.
8 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB8 3 --ActI.1: Casino, not used, 27x33 (12x18) cm.Box FolderB8 4 --Act I.2:Inn Front, 25x31 (12x19) cm.Box FolderB8 5 --Act I.3: Tavern, 26x31 (12x18) cm.Box FolderB8 6 --Act I.4: Garden Wall, 26x31 (13x18) cm.Box FolderB8 7 --Act II.1:King's Dressing Room, 26x31 (12x20) cm.Box FolderB8 8 --Act II.2: Castle yard, 26x31 (12x18) cm.Box FolderB8 9 --Act II.3: Tower, 26x31 (12x18) cm.Box FolderB8 10 --Act II.4: Border drop, 26x31 (13x18) cm., signed by GretlBox Folder14 18 Sketches and notes, 6 p.Mapcase Folder14-9-2 17 28 technical drawingsBox Folder14 18 4 detail sketches of throne roomBox Folder14 18 Letter from construction co.Box Folder
Set models
Yours Truly (Lotus Flower), January 25, 1927 :
Musical play in 2 acts, book and lyrics by Clyde North and Anne Caldwell, music by Raymond Hubbell, choreographed by Ralph Reader, produced by Gene Buck, directed by Paul Dickey at the Shubert Theater with Leon Errol, Marion Harris, Ina Williams and Irene Dunne. 129 performances. Restaged at the Century Theater for 16 performances March 12, 1928.
5 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB8 11 --Green curtain, 26x31 (14x20) cm.Box FolderB8 12 --I: Mission Square, 26x31 (15x19) cm.Box FolderB9 2 --II.1: Garden, 25x31 (14x22) cm. Box FolderB8 13 --II.3 Mission interior, 26x31 (13x19) cm.
JOSEPH URBAN 47
Box FolderB9 1 --II.5: Cabaret, 24x28 (13x19) cm.Box Folder14 19 2 set sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-3 1 18 technical drawingsBox Folder14 19 16 photographs of set drawings and setBox Folder14 19 Program
Golden Dawn, November 30, 1927. :
Musical drama in 2 acts by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein, II, music by Emmerich Kalman and Herbert Stothart, choreographed by Dave Bennett, costumes by Mark Mooring, directed by Reginald Hammerstein, produced by Arthur Hammerstein at Hammerstein Theater with Louise Hunter, Robert Chisholm, Paul Gregory and Archie Leach (Cary Grant). 184 performances.
Box Folder15 1 Sketches & notes, 12 p.
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderA1 21 --Straw Curtain, 22x22 cm.Box FolderB9 3 --Act I.4: Magic Tree, 26x32 (13x19) cm.Box FolderB9 4 --Act II.4: Mission, Finale A, 26x31 (13x20) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-3 2 & 3 31 technical drawingsBox Folder15 1 9 photographs of set drawings
Set model
Big Parade, MGM, 1925 :
Art direction by James Basevi and Cedric Gibbons. In 1928 plans were made to make a musical for which Urban was to design the set.
Box Folder27 19 & 20 83 photographs of scenes and publicity stills
Treasure Girl, November 8, 1928 :
Musical comedy in 2 acts, book by Fred Thompson and Vincent Lawrence, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, music by George Gershwin, directed by Bertram Harrison, choreographed by Bobby Connolly, produced by Alex A. Aarons and Vinton Freedley at the Alvin Theater with Gertrude Lawrence, Walter Catlett, Clifton Webb and Mary Hay. 68 performances.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB9 5 --Curtain, 28x38 cm.Box Folder15 2 9 sketches & notesMapcase Folder14-9-3 4 19 technical drawingsBox Folder15 2 9 photographs of sets
Set model
Polly, January 8, 1929 :
JOSEPH URBAN 48
Musical in 2 acts by Guy Bolton and George Middleton of the 1917 comedy Polly with a Past, music and lyrics by Herbert Stothart, Philip Charig and Irving Caesar, directed by John Harwood, choreographed by Jack Haskell, produced by Arthur Hammerstein at the Lyric Theater with June, Charles Esdale and Fred Allen. 15 performances.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder15 3 --Western Union OfficeMapcase Folder14-9-3 5 7 technical drawings
Set model
Sons O' Guns (Tin Hats), November 26, 1929 :
Musical comedy by Fred Thompson and Jack Donahue, music and lyrics by Arthur Swanstrom, Benny Davis and J. Fred Coots, choreographed by Bobby Connolly and Albertina Rasch, costumes by Charles Le Maire, directed by Bobby Connolly, produced by Connolly and Swanstrom at the Imperial Theater with Jack Donahue, William Frawley and Lily Damita. 295 performances
Box Folder15 4 1 reference photo Box Folder15 4 20 sketches & notesMapcase Folder14-9-3 6 52 technical DrawingsBox Folder15 4 19 photographs of sets
Set model
Ripples, February 11, 1930 :
Musical comedy in 2 acts by William Anthony McGuire, music by Oscar Levant and Albert Sirmay, lyrics by Irving Caesar and Graham John, costumes by Charles LeMaire choreographed by William Holbrook, directed by William Anthony McGuire, produced by Charles Dillingham at the New Amsterdam with Fred Stone, Dorothy Stone, Paula Stone, Charles Collins, and Eddie Foy, Jr. 55 performances.
Box Folder15 5 Scene IV set notes, 21 p.Mapcase Folder14-9-3 7 44 technical drawingsBox Folder15 5 4 detail drawingsBox Folder15 5 4 photographs of sets
Set models
Flying High, March 3, 1930 :
Musical comedy in 2 acts, book and lyrics by B. G. DeSylva, Lew Brown and John McGowan, music by DeSylva, Brown and Ray Henderson, costumes by Charles LeMaire, choreographed by Bobby Connolly, directed by Edward Clark Lilley, produced by George White at the Apollo Theater with Bert Lahr, Kate Smith, Grace Brinkley and Oscar Shaw. 357 performances.
Box Folder15 6 1 set listBox Folder15 6 2 drawings-pencilMapcase Folder14-9-3 8 47 technical drawingsBox Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 49
15 6 13 photographs of setsBox Folder15 6 1 programBox Folder15 6 3 exhibit notesBox Folder
Set models
Princess Charming, October 13, 1930 :
Romantic opera in 2 acts adapted by Jack Donahue from the original by Franz Martos, Arthur Wimperis and Laurie Wylie, music by Albert Sirmay and Arthur Swartz, lyrics by Arthur Swanstrom, choreographed by Albertina Rasch and Bobby Connolly, costumes by Charles LeMaire, directed by Edward Clark, produced by Bobby Connolly and Arthur Swanstrom at the Imperial Theater with Victor Moore, Evelyn Herbert, George Grossmith and Robert Halliday. 56 performances
Mapcase Folder14-9-3 9 31 technical drawingsBox Folder15 7 2 detail drawingsBox Folder15 7 7 photographs of set modelsBox Folder15 7 1 programBox Folder
Set models
George White's Scandals, September 14, 1931 :
Revue in 2 acts, sketches by George White, Lew Brown and Irving Caesar; music by Lew Brown and Ray Henderson, costumes by Charles LeMaire, produced and directed by George White at the Apollo Theater with Edward Everett Marshall, Rudy Vallee, Ray Bolger, Ethel Merman, Alice Faye and Ethel Barrymore Colt. 202 performances.
Box Folder15 8 Set notes, 6 p.Box Folder15 8 Watercolor drawing of clouds, 16x21 (9x13) cm.Box Folder15 8 11 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-3 10 & 11 68 technical drawings
Set models
The Good Fairy, November 24, 1931 :
Comedy in 3 acts by Ferenc Molnar, English text by Jane Hinton, music by Alexander Haas, staged and produced by Gilbert Miller at the Henry Miller Theater with Helen Hayes, Paul McGrath and Walter Connolly. 151 performances. Revived with a different cast November 17, 1932 for 72 performances.
Box Folder15 9 1 property plot, 4p.Mapcase Folder14-9-3 12 1 rough set sketchMapcase Folder14-9-3 12 7 technical drawingsBox Folder15 9 1 adBox Folder15 9 1 program
Set model
JOSEPH URBAN 50
Mad Hopes, May, 1932 :
Pre-Broadway tryout of Romney Brent play produced by Curran and Belasco at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles with Billie Burke, Peg Entwhistle and Humphrey Bogart.
Box Folder15 10
Mapcase Folder14-9-3 13 2 ground plans
Music in the Air, November 8, 1932 :
Musical comedy in 2 acts, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Jerome Kern, costumes by John Harkrider, directed by Hammerstein and Kern, produced by Peggy Fears at the Alvin Theater with Al Shean, Walter Slezak and Katherine Carrington. 144 performances, return performance at the Forty Fourth Street Theater, 196 performances.
Box Folder15 11 8 research photographsBox Folder15 11 13 sketches & notes
2 drawings, watercolor and/or pencil :Box FolderB9 6 --Curtain, 25x33 (16x28) cm.Box FolderB9 7 --1.4: Weber's Munich office, 25x33 (13x20) cm.Box FolderB9 7A --Bedroom with table, 27x40 (14x20)Box FolderB9 7B --II.4: dressing room, 29x39 (12x20) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-3 14 46 plans
The Light, 1932-1933. :
Ottis Lucas had written this pageant to be produced at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. It was never produced but Urban won a prize for his set model at the 48th Annual Exhibition of the Architectural League of New York.
Box FolderD3 10 2 technical drawings, 47x62 cm.
7 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderD3 10 --Rocks, 42x58 (42x58) cm. Box FolderC3 4-7 --4 Rocks, 39x47 (24x32) cm.Box FolderB9 8 & 9 --2 cyclorama, 31x42 (40x42) cm.Box Folder15 12 Script and letters
Note: See also Design: Chicago World's Fair, 1933 and ArchitecturalLeague, 1933
Musician's Emergency Fund, February 14, 1933 :
Urban designed the setting for a concert of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony conducted by Walter Damrosch in Madison Square Garden for the benefit of unemployed musicians in New York.
Box Folder15 13 4 photographs
JOSEPH URBAN 51
Melody, February 14, 1933 :
Operetta composed by Sigmund Romberg, book by Edward Childs Carpenter, lyrics by Irving Caesar, choreographed by Bobby Connolly, costumes by Charles LeMaire, produced and directed by George White at the Casino Theater with Jeanne Aubert and Everett Marshall, Walter Woolf, Evelyn Herbert and Hal Skelly. 80 performances.
Box Folder15 14 Set sketches, 3 p.
3.4: Ziegfeld Productions, 1915-1932
This subseries documents Joseph Urban's designs for the producer Florenz Ziegfeld. Ziegfeld never staged a show since their collaboration began in 1915 without some input from Joseph Urban. He designed all the subsequent Ziegfeld Follies and the Ziegfeld Frolics as well as the hit book shows such as Sally (1921), Show Boat (1927) and Whoopee (1928). The subseries contains drawings, research material, technical drawings, photographs of sets and some programs. There are comparatively few watercolor renderings probably because they were given away as gifts by Urban. The productions are arranged in chronological order listed by title, opening date and production information. Production information was pulled from the sources cited in the Theater subseries and from The Ziegfeld Touch cited in the biography.
New Amsterdam Roof Garden, 1915, 1917, 1921 :
Box FolderB9 10 Midnight Frolic, August 23, 1915
1 Photograph of roof gardenBox FolderB9 11 Drawing, watercolor and pencil:
--Curtain, 24x36 (19x27) cm.
Midnight Frolic, 1917 :
Box Folder16 1 Program, 11/26/17
Nine O'clock Frolic, February 8, 1921 :
Box Folder[No material listed]
Midnight Frolic, November 17, 1921 :
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB9 12 --Mountain Terrace, 26x32 (19x19) cm., sig.Box Folder16 1 --set piece for horse race, 21x15 (7x7) cmBox Folder16 1 19 sketches & notesMapcase Folder14-9-4 1 7 technical drawingsBox Folder16 1 3 photographs of set drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-4 1 Ad mockup
Ziegfeld Follies, June 21, 1915 :
Revue in 2 acts, lines and lyrics by Channing Pollock, Rennold Wolf and Gene Buck, music by
JOSEPH URBAN 52
Louis Hirsch and David Stamper, costumes by Lucile, choreographed by Julian Mitchell, staged by Mitchell and Leon Errol at the New Amsterdam Theater with Ed Wynn, Ann Pennington, Justine Johnstone, Kay Laurell, Olive Thomas, Mae Murray, W. C. Fields, Bert Williams, Bernard Granville, George White, Ina Claire, Lucille Cavanaugh and Leon Errol. 104 performances.
Box Folder16 2 Notes and letters, San Francisco Expo, 8 p. Box Folder16 2 6 photographs, San Francisco Expo. 8 p.Mapcase Folder14-9-4 2 2 photographs, San Francisco ExpoBox Folder16 2 Research on submarines, 6 p.Box FolderB9 13 3 technical drawings
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB9 14 --House entrance, not used, 24x35 (20x33) cmBox FolderB9 15 --Flower curtain, 24x35 (20x33) cm.Box FolderB10 1 --Zeppelin, 20x33 cm.Box FolderB10 2 --Map for Frisco, 24x34 (20x32) cm.Box Folder16 2 8 technical drawingsBox Folder16 2 24 photographs of set drawings
Ziegfeld Follies, June 16, 1916 :
Revue in 2 acts, book and lyrics by George V. Hobart and Gene Buck, music by Louis Hirsch, Jerome Kern and Dave Stamper, costumes by Lucile et al., staged and choreographed by Ned Wayburn at the New Amsterdam Theater with Bernard Granville, Ina Claire, Justine Johnstone, Bert Williams, Allyn King, Marion Davies, Ann Pennington, Lilyan Tashman, W. C. Fields, Fannie Brice and Will Rogers. 112 performances.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. : Box FolderB10 3 --Globe curtain, 22x31 (18x28) cm.Box FolderB10 4 --Opening scene, 24x35 (21x32) cm.Box Folder16 3 1 ground plan, islandBox FolderD3 11 11 technical drawingsBox Folder16 3 15 photographs of set drawings
Century Girl, November 6, 1916 :
Music by Victor Herbert and Irving Berlin, produced by Charles Dillingham at the Century Theater with Marie Dressler, Hazel Lewis, Hazel Dawn, Irving Fisher, Leon Errol, Elsie Janis, Gus Van, Joe Schenk, Vera Maxwell, Frank Tinney and Lilyan Tashman. 200 performances.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB10 5 --Bubbles, 24x45 (19x30) cm.Box FolderB10 6 --Grand Central Station, 23x28 (20.5x25) cm., sig.Mapcase Folder14-9-4 3 6 technical drawingsBox Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 53
16 4 20 photographs of set drawings
Century Roof Garden, January 18, 1917 :
The producers, Ziegfeld and Dillingham, named the roof garden the Cocoanut Grove and staged a Midnight Revue entitled Dance and Grow Thin, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and Blanche Merrill, staging by Leon Errol and Gertrude Hoffman, with Will Richie, Rita Boland, Hattie Burks, Leon Errol, Irving Fisher, Dolly Hackett, and Van and Schenck.
Box Folder16 5 Silhouette, unused sketchBox Folder16 5 17 p. sketches and notesMapcase Folder14-9-4 4 14 technical drawings
Ziegfeld Follies 1917, June 12, 1917 :
Revue in 2 acts, book and lyrics by Gene Buck and George V. Hobart, music by Raymond Hubbell, Dave Stamper and Victor Herbert, costumes by Lucile et al., staged and choreographed by Ned Wayburn at the New Amsterdam Theater, with Walter Catlett, Lilyan Tashman, W. C. Fields, Bert Williams, the Fairbanks Twins, Eddie Cantor, Fannie Brice, Will Rogers, Allyn King, Delores and Peggy Hopkins. 111 performances.
Box Folder16 6 1 contract letter, 2/7/17Box Folder16 6 1 set list
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder16 6 --Modern Interior, 20x20 (14x14) cm.Box FolderB10 7 --Eagle, 21x26 cm.Box FolderD3 12 12 technical drawingsBox Folder16 6 20 photographs of set drawings
Miss 1917, November 5, 1917 :
Revue in 2 acts, book and lyrics by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, music by Victor Herbert, staged by Ned Wayburn, produced by Charles Dillingham and Florenz Ziegfeld at the Century Theater with Lew Fields, Andrew Tombs, Elizabeth Brice, Marion Davies, Charles King, Bessie McCoy Davis, Vivienne Segal, Vera Maxwell, Van & Schenk, Irene Castle, Bert Savoy, Joe Brennan, Lilyan Tashman, Dolores, George White and Ann Pennington and others. 48 performances.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB10 8 ---Garden of Eden, 24x29 (22x27) cm.Box FolderB10 9 --Swan curtain, 22x22 (19x19) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-4 5 4 technical drawingsBox Folder16 7 24 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder16 7 1 program
Ziegfeld Follies 1918, June 18, 1918 :
Revue in two acts, lines and lyrics by Rennold Wolf and Gene Buck, music by Louis A. Hirsch and Dave Stamper, interpolations by Irving Berlin and Victor Jacobi, costumes by Lucile et al., staged
JOSEPH URBAN 54
by Ned Wayburn at the New Amsterdam Theater with Eddie Cantor, Frank Carter, Gus Minton, Marilyn Miller, Will Rogers, Allyn King, Dolores, Ann Pennington, Kay Laurell, the Fairbanks Twins, W. C. Fields, and Lillian Lorraine. 151 performances.
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil : Box FolderB10 10 --Miniature (spinet scene), 22x33 (13.5x24) cm.Box FolderB10 11 --Totem pole, not used, 23x21 (16x18) cm.Box FolderB10 12 --Trench, 23x33 (20x31) cm.Box FolderD4 1 8 technical drawingsBox Folder16 8 18 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder16 8 Program, 7/29/18 and program pages
By Pigeon Post, November 25, 1918 :
Play in three acts by Austin Page at the Cohan Theater with Jerome Patrick, Frank Kemble Cooper, John Sainpolis, Phoebe Foster and Peggy O'Neil. 24 performances.
Box Folder16 9 4 p. of program
Ziegfeld Follies of 1919, June 16, 1919 :
Written by Irving Berlin, Gene Buck, Rennold Wolf and Dave Stamper, ballet by Victor Herbert, costumes by Lucile et al., directed by Ned Wayburn at the New Amsterdam Theater with Eddie Cantor, Johnny and Ray Dooley, Eddie Dowling, Phil Dwyer, the Fairbanks Twins, Mary Hay, George LeMaire, Marilyn Miller, John Steele, Van and Schenck, Hazel Washburn and Bert Williams. 171 performances
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB11 1 --Twilight curtain, 23x33 (22x18) cm., sig.Box Folder16 10 18 p. sketches and notesBox FolderD4 2 13 technical drawingsBox Folder16 10 42 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder16 10 Program, 2 p.
Caesar's Wife, November 24, 1919 :
Drama in 3 acts by W. Somerset Maugham, directed by B. Iden Payne, starring Billie Burke, Norman Trevor, and Ernest Glendenning at the Liberty Theater. 81 performances.
Box Folder16 11 12 sketches and notesBox Folder16 11 2 photographs of set drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-4 6 5 technical drawingsBox Folder16 11 1 check stub showing payment for scenery
Ziegfeld Follies of 1920, June 22, 1920 :
Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, Dave Stamper, Gene Buck, Joseph McCarthy, Harry Tierney and Victor Herbert, costumes by Lucile et al., directed by Edward Royce at the New Amsterdam
JOSEPH URBAN 55
Theater with Ray Dooley, Fannie Brice, W. C. Fields, Charles Winninger, Bernard Granville, John Steel, Mary Eaton, Jack Donahue, Van and Schenck and Moran and Mack. 123 performances.
Box Folder16 12 5 sketches and notesBox FolderD4 3 22 technical drawingsBox Folder16 12 2 photographs of set drawingBox Folder16 12 Program, 5 p.
James Theater, Columbus, Ohio, 1920-1921 :
Box Folder16 12 2 detail sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-4 7 4 technical drawings
Sally, December 21, 1920 :
Musical comedy in three acts, book by Guy Bolton, lyrics by Clifford Grey, music by Jerome Kern and Victor Herbert, directed and choreographed by Edward Royce at the New Amsterdam Theater with Marilyn Miller, Leon Errol, Mary Hay, Walter Catlett, and Dolores. 570 performances.
Box FolderD4 4 5 technical drawingsBox Folder17 1 2 sketchesBox Folder17 1 1 photograph of curtain
Ziegfeld Follies of 1921, June 21, 1921 :
Lines and lyrics by Channing Pollock, Gene Buck, Willard Mack, Ralph Spence and Bud De Silva, music by Victor Herbert, Rudolf Friml and Dave Stamper, costumes by James Reynolds, directed by Edward Royce at the Globe Theater with Raymond Hitchcock, Fannie Brice, Van and Schenk, Ray Dooley, Florence O'Denishawn, Charles O'Donnell, W. C. Fields, Mary Eaton and Mitti and Tillio. 119 performances.
5 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB11 2 --Venetian, 26x31 (18x21) cm., sig.Box FolderB11 3 --Paris-Bridge over Seine, 26x28 (18x21) cm.Box FolderB11 4 --Temple of Colors, 26x31 (20x23) cm., sig.Box FolderB11 5 --Princess, Queen of the Night, 21x31 (10x22) cm., sig.Box FolderB11 5A --Rose Bower, 25x31 (11x12) cm.Box FolderD4 5 38 technical drawingsBox Folder17 2 2 p. notes and planBox Folder17 2 21 photographs of set drawings
Ziegfeld Follies of 1922, June 5, 1922 :
Music by Victor Herbert, Louis A. Hirsch and Dave Stamper, book and lyrics by Ring Lardner, Gene Buck and Ralph Spence, sets by Urban, James Reynolds and Herman Rosse, costumes by James Reynolds, Charles LeMaire, et al., directed and choreographed by Ned Wayburn at the New Amsterdam Theater, with Will Rogers, Michael Fokine, Gallagher and Shean, Lulu McConnell,
JOSEPH URBAN 56
Andrew Tombes, Evelyn Law, Gilda Gray, Mary Eaton and Jessie Reed. 541 performances.
Box Folder17 3 4 sketchesBox FolderD4 6 6 technical drawingsBox Folder17 3 Program, June 25, 1923
Rose Briar, December 25, 1922 :
Comedy in 3 acts by Booth Tarkington with Billie Burke, Frank Conroy, Allan Dinehart, Julia Hoyt and Florence O'Denishawn at the Empire Theater. 89 performances. 17
Mapcase Folder14-9-4 8 4 technical drawings
Ziegfeld Follies of 1923, October 20 :
Musical revue in 2 acts, lyrics by Gene Buck, music by Victor Herbert, Rudolph Friml and Dave Stamper, costumes by Ben-Ali Haggin, Tappé, Alice O'Neill, Erté, and James Reynolds, et al., directed and choreographed by Ned Wayburn with Fanny Brice, Eddie Cantor, Bert and Betty Wheeler, Lina Basquette, Ann Pennington, Paul Whiteman Orchestra and Dave Stamper at the New Amsterdam Theater. 333 performances
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB11 6 --Spanish exterior, 26x31 (18x26) cm.Box Folder17 5 American Review of Reviews, p. 405-6Box Folder17 5 Lyrics, 6 p.
Box Folder17 5 Curtain samplesBox Folder17 6 2 letters, Urban StudioBox Folder17 5 & 6 65 sketches & notesBox FolderA1 16-20 13 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-4 9 & 10 47 technical drawings
Set Models
Kid Boots, December 31, 1923 :
Musical comedy in 2 acts by William Anthony McGuire and Otto Harbach, music by Harry Tierney, lyrics by Joseph McCarthy, directed by Edward Royce at the Earl Carroll Theater with Eddie Cantor, Mary Eaton and Jobyna Howland. 479 performances.
Box Folder17 7 3 sketches
1 drawing-watercolor and pencil :Box Folder17 7 --trees, 27x19 cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-4 11 Ground plan
Ziegfeld Follies of 1924, June 24, 1924 :
Musical revue with lyrics by Gene Buck and Joseph J. McCarthy, music by Victor Herbert,
JOSEPH URBAN 57
Raymond Hubbell, Dave Stamper, Harry Tierney and Dr. Albert Szirmai, dialog by William Anthony McGuire and Will Rogers, costumes by James Reynolds, Charles LeMaire, et al., sets by Joseph Urban and Ludwig Kainer, staged by Julian Mitchell at the New Amsterdam Theater with Will Rogers, Vivienne Segal, Ann Pennington, Lina Basquette, Evelyn Law, Mae Daw and the Tiller Girls. c. 401 performances.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB11 7 --2 Entrance curtains, pheasants, 16x31 (18x16) cm.Box Folder17 8 5 sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-4 12 21 technical drawings
Annie Dear, November 4, 1924 :
Musical comedy in 3 acts from the original Good Gracious, Annabelle (1916), book, music and lyrics by Clare Kummer, interpolations by Sigmund Romberg and Harry Tierney, staged by Edward Royce at the Times Square Theater, with Billie Burke, Marion Green and Ernest Truex. 103 performances.
Box Folder17 9 Rough sketch of hotel scene, watercolor
8 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB11 8 --Curtain A, 26x31 cm.Box FolderB11 9 --Curtain B, not used, 27x34 cm.Box FolderB11 10 --Curtain, bouquet, not used, 26x31 cm.Box Folder17 9 --Hotel Lobby, rough drawing, 15x19 cm.Box FolderB12 1 --Hotel lobby, 27x35 cm.Box FolderB12 2 --Hotel lobby drop, 26x31 cm.Box FolderB12 3 --Kitchen scene, 27x35 cm.Box FolderB12 4 --Kitchen Garden, 27x35 cm.Box FolderB12 5 --Park scene, garden, night, 26x31 cm.Box Folder17 9 Detail for Rainbow Garden and curtainMapcase Folder14-9-4 13 12 technical drawings
Set model
Louie the 14th, March 3, 1925 :
Musical play from the German, adaptation and lyrics by Arthur Wimperis, music by Sigmund Romberg, sets in collaboration with Gretl Urban and Karl Koeck, directed by Edward Royce with Leon Errol, Ethel Shutta, Doris Patson, and Henry Fender at the Cosmopolitan Theater. 79 performances.
6 drawings-watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB31 5 --Act I: Market place, 27x32 (14x23) cm.Box FolderB12 6 --Road to Inn, not used, 27x31 (14x23) cm.Box FolderB12 7 --Mountain Inn, sig. Karl Koeck, 24x31 (17x23) cm.
JOSEPH URBAN 58
Box FolderB31 6 --Mountain Inn (not used), 27x32 (17x24) cm.Box Folder17 10 --Act II.1: Ballroom detail, 18x36 (14x33) cm.Box FolderB12 8 --Act II.2: Garden Scene, sig. Gretl Urban, 27x32 (14x23) cm.Box Folder17 10 Sketches and notes, 11 p.Box FolderB12 9 3 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-4 14 28 technical drawings
Palm Beach Girl, January 14, 1926 :
Opened as Ziegfeld's Palm Beach Nights, book by Gene Buck and Irving Caesar, music by Rudolph Friml, staged by Ned Wayburn at the Club de Montmartre in Palm Beach with Harry Fender, Mort Downey, Ray Dooley, Claire Luce, Polly Walker, and Paulette Goddard.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB12 10 --Curtain, 26x31 (13x19) cm.Box FolderB12 11 --Snow Bound, not used, 27x34 (12x21) cm.Box Folder17 11 --Palm Beach Night, 13x19 (9x12) cm.Box Folder17 11 14 sketches and notesBox FolderD4 7 20 technical drawingsBox FolderD4 7 Montmartre Theater proscenium drawing, 37x44 cm.Box Folder17 11 2 photographs of proscenium
Note: See also No Foolin'
No Foolin', June 24, 1926 :
Revue in two acts, a revised version of Ziegfeld's Palm Beach Girl, music by Rudolf Friml, written by Gene Buck, Irving Caesar, Ballard MacDonald, J. P. McEvoy and James Hanley, tableaux by Ben Ali Haggin, costumes by John Harkrider, sets by Urban and John Wenger, dances by John Boyle, staged by Walter Wilson and Ed Royce at the Globe Theater with James Barton, Ray Dooley, Polly Walker, Peggy Fears, Paulette Goddard, and Claire Luce. This was essentially the Follies for 1926 but went by several titles including Ziegfeld's American Revue due to a legal dispute with the Erlanger estate over the use of the name. 108 performances.
7 drawings, watercolor and pencil:Box FolderB13 1 --Portal & Opening, 32x26 cm.Box FolderB13 2 --Curtain, 26x31 cm.Box FolderB13 3 --Curtain, not used, 26x32 cm.Box FolderB13 4 --Cabaret, 26x31 cm.Box FolderB13 5 --Oriental, 25x31 cm.Box FolderB13 6 --Skyscraper, 26x31 cm.Box FolderB13 7 --Pink Gauze, 23x28 cm.Box Folder
See also Palm Beach Girl.
JOSEPH URBAN 59
Betsy, December 28, 1926. :
Musical comedy in 2 acts, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart, book by Irving Caesar & David Freedman, choreographed by Sammy Lee, directed by William Anthony McGuire at the New Amsterdam Theater, with Belle Baker. 39 performances.
Box Folder1 drawing, watercolor & pencil :1 drawing, watercolor & pencil
Box FolderB31 7 --Garden, 26x31 (18x20) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-4 15 3 technical drawingsBox Folder17 13 2 detail rough sketchesBox Folder17 13 1 photograph of set drawing
Set model
Rio Rita, February 2, 1927 :
Musical comedy in two acts, book by Guy Bolton and Fred Thompson, music and lyrics by Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy, choreographed by Albertina Rasch and Sammy Lee, costumes by John Harkrider, directed by John Harwood at the Ziegfeld Theatre with J. Harold Murray, Ethelind Terry, Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey and the Albertina Rasch Girls. 494 performances.
Box Folder17 14 10 work sketchesBox FolderA7 A Sketch of ship deck
9 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB13 8 --Curtain B, not used, 26x32 (18x20) cm.Box FolderB13 9 --Cactus curtain C, not used, 32x42 (23x33) cm.Box FolderB13 10 --Curtain D, not used, 26x31 (19x20) cm.Box FolderB14 1 --Spanish Shawl , 26x32 (19x19) cm.Box FolderB14 2 --I.1: Inn A, 25x31 (18x20) cm.Box FolderB14 3 --Cellar, 26x31 (17x17) cm.Box FolderB14 4 --Patio, 32x34 (21x24) cm.Box FolderB14 5 --Boat scene, 26x31 (18x21) cm.Box FolderB14 6 --Colonial House, 26x31 (18x21) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-4 16 21 technical drawingsBox Folder17 14 12 photographs of sets
Set model
Ziegfeld Follies of 1927, August 16, 1927 :
Musical revue in 2 acts, music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, sketches by Harold Atteridge and Eddie Cantor, costumes by John Harkrider, choreographed by Sammy Lee and Albertina Rasch, produced by Abe Erlanger and Florenz Ziegfeld, directed by Ziegfeld and Zeke Colvan at the New Amsterdam Theater with Eddie Cantor, Andrew Tombes, Claire Luce, Ruth Etting and the Albertina Rasch Girls. 167 performances.
JOSEPH URBAN 60
Box FolderC4 1 Castles in the clouds, watercolor, 34x43 cm.Box Folder17 15 13 notes and technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-4 17 40 technical drawingsBox Folder17 15 9 photographs of sets
Set model
Show Boat, December 27, 1927 :
Musical adapted from Edna Ferber's novel, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Jerome Kern, costumes by John Harkrider, choreographed by Sammy Lee, directed by Zeke Cohan at the Ziegfeld Theatre with Charles Winninger, Edna May Oliver, Howard Marsh, Norma Terriss, Helen Morgan, Aunt Jemima (Tess Gardell) and Jules Bledsoe. 572 performances.
Box FolderD4 8 18 prints of Chicago World's Fair of 1893.
15 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderC4 A --Curtain, 29x46 cm.Box FolderB14 7 --Curtain, not used, 26x32 (18x27) cm.Box FolderB14 8 --Curtain, 22x35 (15x24) cm.Box FolderB14 9 --I.1,8: Levee B 26x32 (11x20) cm.Box FolderB14 10 --I.2: Pantry A, 26x32 (11x20) cm.Box FolderB15 1 ----I.2: Pantry B, 26x32 (12x19) cm.Box FolderB15 2 --I.3: Outside cabaret, 26x32 (12x19) cm.Box FolderB15 3 --I.4: Empty Stage, 26x32 (13x19) cm.Box FolderB15 4 --I.5: Box Office, 26x32 (13x20) cm.Box FolderB15 5 --I.7: Upper Deck, 26x32 (12x19) cm.Box FolderB15 6 --II.2: Kitchen Pantry, 26x32 (14x19) cm.Box FolderB15 7 --II.5,6: Music hall, 26x32 (12x21) cm.Box FolderB15 8 --II.6: Music hall, 26x32 (12x19) cm.Box FolderB15 9 --II.5,6: Cabaret C, 27x32 (13x19) cm.Box FolderB15 10 --Doorway, 26x32 (14x20) cm.Box Folder17 16 2 detail drawingsBox Folder17 16 15 photos of drawings & modelsBox Folder17 16 1 clipping, NY News 1966
Set ModelsNote: See also Show Boat 1932
Rosalie, January 10, 1928 :
JOSEPH URBAN 61
Musical comedy in 2 acts, book by William Anthony McGuire and Guy Bolton, lyrics by P. G. Wodehouse and Ira Gershwin, music by George Gershwin and Sigmund Romberg, costumes by John Harkrider, choreographed by Seymour Felix, directed by McGuire and Florenz Ziegfeld at the New Amsterdam Theater with Frank Morgan, Marilyn Miller, Oliver McLennan, Jack Donahue, Gladys Glad and Helen Forbes. 335 performances.
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB16 1 --Curtain, 18x18 cm.Box FolderB16 2 --I.1: Palace A, 26x32 (17x23) cm.Box FolderB16 3 --Palace B, not used, 32x34 (16x19) cm.Box FolderB16 4 --Sleeping Quarters, 26x31 (13x19) cm.Box Folder17 17 16 sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-5 1 30 technical drawingsBox Folder17 17 8 photographs of sets and modelsBox Folder17 17 1 program
Set models
The Three Musketeers, March 13, 1928 :
Musical version in 2 acts of novel by Alexandre Dumas, adapted by William Anthony McGuire, music by Rudolph Friml, lyrics by P. G. Wodehouse and Clifford Grey, choreographed by Albertina Rasch, costumes by John Harkrider, directed by McGuire and Richard Boleslavsky at the Lyric Theater with Vivienne Segal and Dennis King. 318 performances.
Box Folder18 1 37 sketches & notesMapcase Folder14-9-5 2 34 technical drawingsBox Folder18 1 2 cloth samplesBox Folder18 1 8 photographs of sets & set models
Set model
Whoopee, December 4, 1928 :
Musical comedy in 2 acts and 12 scenes by William Anthony McGuire, based on The Nervous Wreck by Owen Davis, music by Walter Donaldson, lyrics by Gus Kahn, choreographed by Seymour Felix and Tamara Geva, costumes by John Harkrider, directed by McGuire at the New Amsterdam Theater with Eddie Cantor, Ruth Etting, Gladys Glad, Ethel Shutta, Jack Rutherford and Frances Upton. 379 performances.
Box Folder18 2 First Act Lay-OutBox FolderA7 1 Photograph from The Nervous WreckBox Folder18 2 2 photographs from The Nervous WreckBox Folder18 2 6 rough set sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-5 3 22 technical drawingsBox Folder18 2 17 photographs of set drawings
JOSEPH URBAN 62
Box Folder18 2 Program
Set models
Show Girl, July 2, 1929 :
Musical comedy revue by William Anthony McGuire based on the novel by J. P. McEvoy, music by George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and Gus Kahn, costumes by John Harkrider, choreographed by Bobby Connolly and Albertina Rasch, directed by Zeke Colvan at the Ziegfeld Theater with Ruby Keeler, Jimmie Durante, Lou Clayton, Eddie Jackson, Eddie Foy, Jr. and Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra. 111 performances.
Box Folder18 3 Drawing of horse, classical style, 20x25 cm.Box Folder18 3 29 sketches & notesMapcase Folder14-9-5 4 & 5 81 technical drawingsBox Folder18 3 6 photos of set drawingsBox Folder18 3 1 clipping Box Folder18 3 1 program
Set models
Simple Simon, February 18, 1930 :
Musical comedy by Ed Wynn and Guy Bolton, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart, dances by Seymour Felix, directed by Zeke Colvan at the Ziegfeld Theatre with Ed Wynn, Ruth Etting and Harriet Hoctor. 101 performances.
Box Folder18 4 10 detail drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-5 6 47 technical drawings
Smiles, November 18, 1930 :
A musical comedy in 2 acts by William Anthony McGuire, music by Vincent Youmans, lyrics by Clifford Grey, Harold Adamson and Ring Lardner, choreographed by Ned Wayburn, directed by William Anthony McGuire at the Ziegfeld Theater with Paul Gregory, Fred and Adele Astaire, Larry Adler, Marilyn Miller, and Eddie Foy, Jr. 63 performances.
Box Folder18 5 NY Times Magazine articleBox Folder18 5 6 drawings of propsMapcase Folder14-9-5 7 35 technical drawingsBox Folder18 5 13 photographs of sets
Ziegfeld Follies of 1931, July 1, 1931 :
Music by Harry Revel, Ben Oakland, Dave Stamper, Dimitri Tiomkin, Noel Coward, Nora Bayes, Jimmy Monaco, Chick Endor, Walter Donaldson, and Jay Gorney, sketches by Gene Buck, Mark Hellinger, and J. P. Murray, lyrics by Gene Buck, Joseph McCarthy, Charles Farrell, Mack Gordon, J. P. Murray, Barry Trivers, E. Y. Harburg, Jack Norworth, and Noel Coward, costumes by John Harkrider, dances by Bobby Connolly and Albertina Rasch, directed by Edward C. Lilley at the Ziegfeld Theater with Buck and Bubbles, Ruth Etting, Gladys Glad, Grace Moore, Helen Morgan, Jack Pearl, Albertina Rasch Dancers, Albert Carroll, Hal Leroy, Mitzi Mayfair, and Harry Richman.
JOSEPH URBAN 63
164 performances
Box FolderC4 2 Bridge, watercolor, 34x42 cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-5 8 & 9 89 technical drawingsBox Folder18 6 19 technical drawings
Set models
Hot-Cha! (Laid in Mexico), March 8, 1932 :
Musical comedy in 2 acts by Lew Brown, Ray Henderson, Mark Hellinger and H. S. Kraft, music by Brown and Henderson, staged by Edgar McGregor, dances by Bobby Connolly, directed by Edward Lilley at the Ziegfeld Theater with Bert Lahr, Lupe Velez, Marjorie White, and Buddy Rogers. 119 performances
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder18 7 --TrainBox Folder18 7 --Mexican Square, 18.5x27 (17x25) cm.Box Folder18 7 15 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-5 10 & 11 59 technical drawingsBox Folder18 7 3 photographs of Lahr and Velez
Set models
Show Boat, May 23 1932 :
See Show Boat, December 27, 1927. Revival at the Casino Theater with Charles Winninger, Edna May Oliver, Dennis King, Norma Terriss, Helen Morgan, Tess Gardell (Aunt Jemima) and Paul Robeson. 36 performances
Box Folder18 8 1 program
3.5: Metropolitan Opera, 1917-1933
Urban designed several operas a year for the Metropolitan Opera Company during the time when the financier philanthropist Otto Kahn was Chairman of the Board of Directors and Giulio Gatti-Cassazza was the manager. Urban's good friend and fellow Austrian Artur Bodanzky was a conductor, and major singers such as Enrico Caruso, Rosa Ponselle, Maria Jeritza, Giuseppe De Luca, Beniamino Giglio, Ezio Pinza and Fiodr Chaliapin performed on his sets. The productions are arranged in chronological order listed by title, opening date and production information. The last year the set was used is shown in parentheses. The files contain drawings, research material, technical drawings, photographs of sets and some programs. The production information is from the Metropolitan Opera Archives and Seltsam, William H. <i>Metropolitan Opera Annals</i>. New York: W. W. Wilson Co., 1947.
Faust, November 17, 1917 (1951) :
Opera in 4 acts and 6 scenes based on the dramatic poem by Goethe, music by Charles Gounod, book by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, costumes by Joseph Urban, conducted by Pierre Monteux with Giovanni Martinelli as Faust, Geraldine Farrar as Marguerite and Leon Rothier as Mephistopheles.
6 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 64
B16 5 --Study, 23x34 (20x31) cm.Box FolderB16 6 --Kermesse, 23x33 (19x35) cm. Box Folder18 9 --Garden, 18x25 (13x21) cm. Box FolderB16 7 --Church, 23x36 (19x31) cm.Box FolderB16 8 --Walpurgisnacht, 22x36 (20x31) cm.Box Folder18 9 1 ground plan, quick sketchBox Folder18 9 20 photographs of set drawings.Box Folder18 9 2 programs, 1918
Note: See also Vienna 1906-07, Boston Opera 1913 and MetropolitanOpera 1923
Saint Elizabeth (Die Legende von der Heiligen Elisabeth), January 3, 1918 :
First American performance of oratorio in a prologue and 4 tableaux, sung in English, music by Franz Liszt, book by Otto Roquette, translated by Constance Bache, costumes by Joseph Urban, directed by Richard Ordynski, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Florence Easton as St. Elizabeth, Clarence Whitehill as Ludwig and Margarete Matzenauer as Sophie.
Box Folder19 1 1 libretto
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB16 9 --Prologue: Betrothal, 23x35 (19x31) cm.Box FolderB16 10 --Ascension, 24x35 (19x31) cm.Box FolderB16 11 --Woods, 24x35 (19x32) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 1 10 technical drawingsBox Folder19 1 12 photographs of set drawings and modelsBox Folder19 1 2 programs, 1917 & 1918
Le Prophète, February 7, 1918 (1928) :
Opera in 4 acts and 9 scenes, book by Eugene Scribe, music by Giacomo Meyerbeer, costumes by Joseph Urban, directed by Richard Ordynski, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Enrico Caruso as Jean of Leyden, Margarete Matzenauer as Fidès, Claudia Muzio as Bertha and Adamo Didur as Count Oberthal.
Box Folder19 2 2 librettos
7 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder19 2 --I.1: suburb of Dordrecht, 16x21 (14x20) cm.Box Folder19 2 --I: City Wall in Winter, 15x25 cm.Box Folder19 2 --snow, Detail 9Box FolderB17 1 --I.2: John of Leyden's inn, 22x36 (19x32) cm.Box FolderB17 2 --II.2: View of the City, 23x30 (17x21) cm., sig.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 65
19 2 --Banquet, 19x27 (14x24) cm.Box Folder19 2 --Dungeon, 21x33 (19x31) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 2 14 technical drawingsBox Folder19 2 9 photographs of costumesBox Folder19 2 18 photographs of setsBox Folder19 2 1 program, 1918-1919
Set model
Oberon, December 18, 1918 (1921) :
First Metropolitan Opera performance in English of opera in 3 acts and 9 tableaux, music by Carl Maria von Weber, book by J. R. Planché, costumes by Joseph Urban, directed by Richard Ordynski, revised and conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Rosa Ponselle as Rezia, Giovanni Martinelli as Huon and Paul Althouse as Oberon.
Box FolderA7 2 & 3 2 vocal scores, 1 inscribed by BodanzkyBox Folder19 3 Annotated playbookBox Folder19 3 15 sketches and notes
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB17 3 --Rezia's Sleeping Garden, 24x35 (20x30) cm. Box FolderB17 4 --Storm, 24x34 (20x30) cm., sig.Box FolderB17 5 --Charlemagne's Room, 23x33 (20x30) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 3 18 technical drawingsBox Folder19 3 19 photographs of setsBox Folder19 3 3 programs, 1918-1920
Set modelNote: See also Vienna, 1909-11
La Juive (The Jewess), November 22, 1919 (1936) :
Opera in 5 acts by Jacques Halévy, libretto by Eugene Scribe, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Rosa Ponselle as Rachel, Enrico Caruso as Eleazar and Leon Rothier as Cardinal Brogni.
Box Folder19 4 2 librettos in German
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB17 6 --II.2: Passover, 22x33 (17x28) cm.Box FolderB17 7 --III: Kaiser's garden, 24x35 (19x30) cm.Box FolderB17 8 --IV: Cardinal's room, 24x36 (18x19) cm. Box FolderB17 9 --V: Burning Scene, 24x35 (17x30) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 4 12 technical drawings
JOSEPH URBAN 66
Box Folder19 4 10 photographs of sets
Set model
Barbiere di Siviglia (Barber of Seville), November 27, 1919 (1951) :
Opera in 3 acts, music by Gioachino Rossini, book by Cesare Sterbini, conducted by Gennaro Papi with Giuseppe DeLuca as Figaro, Mabel Garrison as Rosina, Charles Hackett as Almaviva, Jose Mardones as Don Basilio and Pompilio Malatesta as Dr. Bartolo.
Box Folder19 5 1 libretto
3 Drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB17 10 --Act I: Square in Seville, 21x35 cm.Box FolderB17 11 --Act II & III: Drawing Room, not used, 22x33 cm.Box FolderB17 12 --Act II & III: Drawing Room, 23x37 cm.Box Folder19 5 1 photograph of set drawing Box Folder19 5 3 programs, 1945 - 1948
Note: See also Boston Opera 1913
Parsifal, February 19, 1920 (1955) :
Opera in 3 acts and 6 scenes by Richard Wagner, English version by Henry Edward Krehbiel, costumes by Urban, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Orville Harrold as Parsifal and Margarete Matzenauer as Kundry.
Box Folder19 6 1 librettoBox FolderB18 1 2 articles, German, 3 p.
8 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderC4 3 --Curtain, Titurel's visionBox FolderC4 4 --I.1: Holy WoodsBox FolderC4 5 --II.1: Klingsor's towerBox FolderB18 2 --II.2: Klingsor's garden DBox FolderD5 1 --II.2: Klingsor's garden, unusedBox FolderC5 1 --II.2: Klingsor's garden BBox FolderB18 3 --II.2: Klingsor's gardenBox FolderB18 4 --II.2: Klingsor's garden GBox FolderB31 8 --II.2: Klingsor's gardenBox Folder19 6 2 slides from. Austrian National LibraryMapcase Folder14-9-6 5 13 technical drawingsBox Folder19 6 17 photos of set drawings and setBox Folder19 6 1 article, 1954, 6 p.
JOSEPH URBAN 67
Note: See also Boston, June 3, 1914.
Eugene Onegin, March 24, 1920 (1921) :
The first New York performance, sung in Italian, of lyric opera in 3 acts adapted from the poem by Alexander Pushkin, music by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, directed by Richard Ordynski, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Giuseppe DeLuca as Onegin, Claudia Muzio as Tatiana and Giovanni Martinelli as Lenski.
Box Folder19 7 Libretto
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderD5 2 --Act I: Larina's garden, 43x25 (20.5x37) cm.Box FolderB18 5 --Act 1.3: garden B, 26x36 (16x26) cm.Box FolderB18 6 --Act II: Larina's ballroom, 26x36 (17x26) cm.Box FolderB18 7 --Act II.2: Duel, 25x35 (16x26) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 6 3 technical drawingsBox Folder19 7 10 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder19 7 Program, April 1, 1920
Tristan und Isolde, November 20, 1920 (1958) :
Performed in English, by Richard Wagner, conducted by Artur Bodanzky, with Johannes Sembach as Tristan, Margarete Matzenauer as Isolde, and Clarence Whitehill as Kurvenal.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB18 8 --II: King Mark's Castle, 24x33 (20x30) cm.Box FolderB18 9 --III: Tristan's Courtyard, 24x32 (20x30) cm.Box Folder19 8 Rough sketchMapcase Folder14-9-6 7 9 technical drawingsBox Folder19 8 Photograph of set drawingBox Folder19 8 5 programs 1935-55
Set modelsNote: See also Boston Opera 1912 and Interstate Opera, 1916
Don Carlos, December 23, 1920 (1923) :
First Metropolitan performance of opera based on tragedy by Schiller, music by Giuseppe Verdi, libretto by Mery and Camille du Locle, costumes by Gretl Urban, conducted by Gennaro Papi with Giovanni Martinelli as Don Carlos, Giuseppe DeLuca as Rodrigo, Adamo Didur as Phillip, and Rosa Ponselle as Elizabeth.
7 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB18 10 --I: Wood scene, 23x31 cm.Box FolderB18 11 --II: Church, 26x38 cm.Box FolderB18 12 --III.1: Ballet scene, 26x38 cm.
JOSEPH URBAN 68
Box FolderB18 13 --Grotto scene, 22x31 cm.Box FolderB19 1 --III.2: City Square, 26x38 cm.Box FolderB19 2 --IV.1: King's cabinet, Phillip's room, 23x31 cm.Box FolderB19 3 --IV.2: Prison scene, 23x30 cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 8 8 technical drawingsBox Folder20 1 17 photographs of set drawings
Set model, Convent exterior
Lohengrin, February 2, 1921 (1950) :
Opera in 3 acts and 4 scenes by Richard Wagner, performed in English, costumes by Joseph and Gretl Urban, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Johannes Sembach as Lohengrin and Florence Easton as Elsa.
Box Folder20 2 1 libretto, German
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder20 2 --Act I: River bank, 17x28 (13x23) cm., sig.Box Folder20 2 --Act II: Courtyard, 18x28 (13x23) cm., sig.Box Folder20 2 --2 of Act III.1: BedroomMapcase Folder14-9-6 9 6 technical drawingsBox Folder20 2 8 photographs of setsBox Folder20 2 5 programs, 1937-1950
Set modelsNote: See also Vienna 1909-11
La Traviata, November 14, 1921 (1935) :
Opera in 4 acts, music by Giuseppe Verdi, book by F. M. Piave, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Amelita Galli-Curci as Violetta, Beniamino Gigli as Alfredo, and Giuseppe De Luca as Germont.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB19 4 --Flora's Palace, 25x32 (15x18) cm.Box Folder20 3 3 plans & sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-6 10 5 technical drawingsBox Folder20 3 7 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder20 3 Program, 4/1/32
Set modelsNote: See also Boston Opera, December 21, 1912
Ernani, December 8, 1921 (1929) :
JOSEPH URBAN 69
Opera in 4 acts and 5 scenes, music by Giuseppe Verdi, book by F. M. Piave based on Hernani by Victor Hugo, costumes by Gretl Urban, conducted by Gennaro Papi with Giovanni Martinelli as Ernani, Giuseppe Danise as Don Carlos and Rosa Ponselle as Elvira.
Box Folder20 4 2 librettos
7 drawings-watercolor and pencil, 16x26 (10x16) cm. : Box Folder20 4 --Act I.1: first idea, sig.Box Folder20 4 --Act I.1: Sea, stone bridgeBox Folder20 4 --Act II: Elvira's Room, sig.Box Folder20 4 --Act III.1: Throne Room A, --Act III.1: Throne Room ABox Folder20 4 --Act III.1: Throne Room B, sig.Box Folder20 4 --Act III.2: Tomb Scene A, sig.Box Folder20 4 --Act III.2: Tomb Scene BMapcase Folder14-9-6 11 9 technical drawingsBox Folder20 4 6 photographsBox Folder20 4 1 program, 1922-1923
Salzburg Festival Playhouse Fund, 1921-1922 :
Richard Strauss, while on a US tour in the fall of 1921, enlisted the aid of Mrs. Samuel(Minnie) Untermeyer to raise money for the Salzburg Festival. Strauss, with Max Reinhardt and Hugo von Hofmannstal, had formed the Salzburg Festspielhaus Committee whose purpose was to build a theater dedicated to Mozart in war-devastated Austria.
Box Folder20 5 5 letters, 10 p.Box Folder20 5 1 flyer
Le Roi d'Ys, January 5, 1922 :
First New York performance of opera in 3 acts and 5 scenes, music by Edouard Lalo, book by Edouard Blau, costumes by Gretl Urban, directed by Samuel Thewman, conducted by Albert Wolff with Beniamino Gigli as Mylio, Giuseppe Danise as Karnac, Leon Rothier as the King, Rosa Ponselle as Margared and Frances Alda as Rozenn.
8 drawings, watercolor and pencil on board : Box Folder20 6 --Act I & II, 26x16 (10x15) cm.Box Folder20 6 --Act II, 2:Grotto and set notes, 16x26 (10x14)Box Folder20 6 --Act III: Courtyard, Flood, 26x16 (10x15) cm.Box Folder20 6 --Act I: Castle, 15.5x26 (10x16) cm.Box Folder20 6 --Act II.1: Interior, 16x26 (10x16) cmBox Folder20 6 --Act II.2: Grotto, 16x26 (10x16) cm.Box Folder20 6 --III.1: Courtyard, 16x26 (10x16) cm.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 70
20 6 --III.2: Flood, 16x26 (10x16) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 12 5 technical drawingsBox Folder20 6 11 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder20 6 2 programs, 1921-22
Cosi Fan Tutte, March 24, 1922 (1928) :
First New York performance of the opera buffa in 2 acts, music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, book by Lorenzo da Ponte, costumes by Gretl Urban, directed by Samuel Thewman, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Florence Easton as Fiordiligi, Frances Peralta as Dorabella, George Meader as Ferrando, Giuseppe DeLuca as Guglielmo, Adamo Didur as Don Alfonso and Lucrezia Bori as Despina.
5 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB19 5 --Act I.1: Inn, 36x43 (20x29) cm.Box FolderB19 6 --Act I.2,4; II.2: Garden, 27x35 (19x26) cm.Box FolderB19 7 --Act I.3: Green Room, 27x35 (19x26) cm.Box FolderB19 8 --Act II.1: White Room, 27x35 (19x27) cm. Box FolderB19 9 --Act II.3: Tapestry Room, 27x35 (19x27) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 13 5 technical drawingsBox Folder20 7 Set listBox Folder20 7 6 photographs of set drawings Box Folder20 7 2 programs, 1921-22
Set model-Portal
Madama Butterfly, November 24, 1922 :
Tragic opera in 3 acts, music by Giacomo Puccini, lyrics by L. Illica & G. Giacosa from the book by John L. Long and play by David Belasco, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Florence Easton as Cio-Cio-San, Giovanni Martinelli as Pinkerton and Antonio Scotti as Sharpless.
Box Folder21 1 1 libretto
1 drawing-watercolor and pencil :Box Folder21 1 --Act II, III: Cio-Cio-San's House, 21x30 (16x24) cm.Box Folder21 1 5 technical drawings, sketchesm.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 14 4 technical drawingsBox Folder21 1 8 programs, 1945-1953
1 set model-Act I, Border #1Note: See also Boston Opera November 29, 1912
Roméo et Juliette, November 25, 1922 (1947) :
Opera in 5 acts and 7 scenes, music by Charles Gounod, book by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, costumes by Gretl Urban, conducted by Louis Hasselmans with Lucrezia Bori as Juliette,
JOSEPH URBAN 71
Beniamino Gigli as Roméo, Giuseppe DeLuca as Mercutio and Leon Rothier as Friar Laurence.
Box Folder21 2 1 libretto
6 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB19 10 --Prologue, 21x31 (15x24) cm.Box FolderB19 11 --Ballroom, 21x31 (15x24) cm.Box FolderB19 12 --Garden scene, not used, 21x31 (16x24) cm.Box FolderB19 13 --Square, 21x31 (15x24) cm.Box FolderB20 1 --Bedroom, 21x31 (15x24) cm.Box FolderB20 2 --Tomb 21x31 (15x24) cm.Box Folder21 2 Ground plans, 1 p.Mapcase Folder14-9-6 15 8 technical drawingsBox Folder21 2 2 photographs of set drawingBox Folder21 2 2 programs, 1922-23, 1926-27
Set model
Thaïs, December 14, 1922 (1939) :
Opera by Jules Massenet, libretto by Louis Gallet, costumes by Gretl Urban, conducted by Louis Hasselmans with Maria Jeritza as Thaïs, Orville Harrold as Nicias and Clarence Whitehill as Athanael.
Box Folder21 3 3 sketches & notesMapcase Folder14-9-6 16 8 technical drawings
Set modelNote: See also Boston Opera, December 7, 1912
Concert Sets, 1922, 1929. :
Box Folder21 4 Detail, measurementsMapcase Folder14-9-6 17 6 technical drawings, 58x77 cm.
L'Africaine, March 21, 1923 (1934) :
Opera in four acts and 5 scenes, music by Giacomo Meyerbeer, book by Eugene Scribe, costumes by Gretl Urban, directed by Samuel Thewman, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Beniamino Gigli as Vasco Da Gama, Rosa Ponselle as Selika and Giuseppe Danise as Nelusko, Adamo Didur as Don Pedro and Leon Rothier as the Grand Inquisitor.
Box Folder21 5 2 librettos
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil:Box Folder21 5 --1. Court Room, 20.5x30.7 cm.Box Folder
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21 5 --IV. 2: Promontory, 17.5x18.5 cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-7 1 5 p. sketches of ship, Act IIIBox Folder21 5 8 technical drawingsBox Folder21 5 1 program
L'Amico Fritz, November 15, 1923 (1924) :
Comedy in 3 acts by Pietro Mascagni, conducted by Roberto Moranzoni with Lucrezia Bori as Suzel and Miguel Fleta as Fritz, and Giuseppe Danise as Rabbi David.
Box Folder21 6 Libretto
4 Drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB20 3 --Dining Room (not used), 26x44 (19x36) cm.Box FolderB20 4 --Dining Room B, 28x36 (16x23) cm.Box FolderB20 5 --Terrace A, 28x46 (36x19) cm.Box FolderB20 6 --Terrace, used, 24x31 (15x23) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-7 2 4 ground plans
Carmen, November 22, 1923 (1950) :
Opera in 4 acts with music by Georges Bizet, lyrics by H. Meilhac & L. Halévy based on the novel by Prosper Merimée, costumes by Gretl Urban, conducted by Louis Hasselmans with Florence Easton as Carmen and Giovanni Martinelli as Jose.
Box Folder21 7 2 librettos
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB20 7 --Act I: Square in Seville, 23x30 (16x23) cm., sig.Box FolderB20 8 --Act II: Tavern, 23x30 (16x23) cm.Box FolderB20 9 --Act III: Smuggler scene, 23x30 (16x23) cm., sig.Box FolderB20 10 --Act IV: Arma scene, 23x30 (12x20) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-7 3 4 technical drawingsBox Folder21 7 5 photographs of set drawings Box Folder21 7 4 programs, 1937-1950
Note: See also Boston Opera, January 15, 1913
Faust, November 30, 1923 (1951) :
A new design for the prolog was added to the 1917 production. Conducted by Louis Hasselmans with Giovanni Martinelli as Faust, Lawrence Tibbett as Valentin, Fiodr Chaliapin as Mephistopheles and Frances Alda as Margarette.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder21 8 --Study, 22x33 (14x23) cm.Mapcase Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 73
14-9-7 4 1 ground planBox Folder21 8 3 programs, 1942-50
Note: See also Vienna 1906, Boston 1913 and Metropolitan OperaNovember 25, 1917
Fedora, December 8, 1923 (1926) :
A lyric drama in 3 acts, music by Umberto Giordano, book by V. Sardou, directed by Wilhelm von Wymetal, conducted by Gennaro Papi, with Maria Jeritza as Fedora, Giovanni Martinelli as Loris Ipanov and Antonio Scotti as De Siriex.
Box Folder21 9 1 librettoBox Folder21 9 4 p. of script notes, von Wymetal
2 drawings-watercolor and pencil :Box Folder21. 9 --Drawing room, 22x30.5 (16x25) cm.Box Folder21 9 --Bed room, 22.5x31.5 (16x25) cm., sig.Box Folder21 9 1 set sketchMapcase Folder14-9-7 5 5 technical drawings
Martha, December 14, 1923 (1929) :
Opera by Friedrich von Flotow, conducted by Gennaro Papi with Frances Alda as Harriet, Kathleen Howard as Nancy, Beniamino Gigli as Lionel and Giuseppe DeLuca as Plunkett.
2 drawings, watercolor and/or pencil :Box FolderB20 11 --I: Village square, 28x38 (15x22) cm.Box Folder21 10 --Kitchen scene, 22x29 (15x23) cm.Box Folder21 10 2 sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-7 6 5 technical drawings
Note: See also Boston March 24, 1913.
Freischütz, Der, March 22, 1924 (1929) :
Opera in 3 acts, music by Carl Maria von Weber, libretto by Friedrich Kind, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Elizabeth Rethberg as Agathe, Curt Taucher as Max, Michael Bohnen as Caspar and Leon Rothier as the hermit.
Box Folder21 11 1 librettoBox Folder21 11 4 p. of script notes
3 drawings-watercolor and pencil :Box Folder21 11 --II.1: Hunter's room, 22x31 (14x22) cm.Box FolderC5 2 --II.2: Wolves Glen, 34x38 (30x34) cm.Box FolderB21 1 --II.2: Wolves Glen B, 28x38 (23x34) cm.Box Folder21 11 1 sketch Mapcase Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 74
14-9-.7 7 8 technical drawingsBox Folder21 11 1 program, 1928-1929
Set modelNote: See Vienna undated
Contes d'Hoffman, (Tales of Hoffman), November 13, 1924 (1946) :
Comic opera in 4 acts, music by Jacques Offenbach, book by Jules Barbier, conducted by Louis Hasselmans with Nina Morgana as Olympia, Lucrezia Bori as Giulietta and Antonia, Giuseppe DeLuca as Coppelius, Miguel Fleta as Hoffman and Lawrence Tibbett as Schlemil.
Box Folder21 12 Libretto
5 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB21 2 --I: Prologue-Tavern, 27x35 (16x24) cm.Box FolderB21 3 --II: a. Olympia-Physician's room, 27x34 (16x24) cm.Box FolderB21 4 --II: b. Olympia-ballroom, 27x34 (16x24) cm.Box FolderB21 5 --III: Giulietta, 27x34 (16x24) cm.Box FolderB21 6 --IV: Antonia, 27x34 (16x24) cm.Box Folder21 12 1 p. set notesBox Folder21 12 3 detail drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-7 8 8 technical drawingsBox Folder21 12 7 photographs of set drawings
Note: See also Boston Opera, November 25, 1912
Falstaff, January 2, 1925 (1949) :
Opera based on The Merry Wives of Windsor by Shakespeare, music by Giuseppe Verdi, libretto by Arrigo Boito, costumes by Gretl Urban, directed by Wilhelm von Wymetal, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Antonio Scotti as Falstaff, Frances Alda as Anne, Lawrence Tibbett as Ford, Lucrezia Bori as Mistress Ford and Adamo Didur as Pistol.
Box Folder21 13 LibrettoBox Folder21 13 3 photographs of setsBox Folder21 13 2 p. script notesBox Folder21 13 1 set sketch and notes
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder21 13 --Portal detailBox FolderB21 7 --Ford's room, 27x34.5 (16x24) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-7 9 5 technical drawingsBox Folder21 13 2 photographs of set drawings
Pelléas et Mélisande, March 21, 1925 (1949) :
JOSEPH URBAN 75
First Metropolitan performance of opera in 5 acts by Claude Debussy, adapted from the play by Maurice Maeterlinck, costumes by Gretl Urban, conducted by Louis Hasselmans with Clarence Whitehill as Golaud, Leon Rothier as Arkel, Lucrezia Bori as Mélisande and Edward Johnson as Pelléas.
Box Folder22 1 2 librettosBox Folder22 1 1 set sketchBox FolderB21 8 5 technical drawingsBox Folder22 1 13 photos of set drawings
Set modelNote: See also Boston January 10, 1912.
Der Barbier von Bagdad (Barber of Bagdad), November 7, 1925 (1926) :
Opera in 2 acts, book and music by Peter Cornelius, directed by Samuel Thewman, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with George Meader as Kadi Baba Mustapha and Elisabeth Rethberg as Margiana.
Box Folder22 2 Libretto, GermanBox FolderB21 9 Rough sketch, pencil
2 Drawings-watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB21 9 --Act I: Room, Nueddin's House, 27x35 cm.Box FolderB21 10 --Act II: Mustapha's women's room, 27x35 cm.Box Folder22 2 7 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-7 10 8 technical drawingsBox Folder22 2 1 photograph of Act I setBox Folder22 2 1 program, 1925-1926
La Vestale, November 12, 1925 (1927) :
First Metropolitan performance of opera in 3 acts by Gaspare Spontini, book by De Jouy, costumes by Gretl Urban, directed by Wilhelm Von Wymetal, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Rosa Ponselle as Giulia, Edward Johnson as Licinio, Giuseppe De Luca as Cinna and Margarete Matzenauer as the High Priestess.
5 drawings, watercolor and pencil on board : Box FolderB21 11 --I: Forum, 26x33 (22x33) cm., sig.Box FolderB22 1 --II: Vestal Temple, 21x45 (21x32) cm.Box FolderB22 2 --III.1: Campus Sceleratus, 32x45 (23x33) cm., sig.Box Folder22 3 --III.1: CemetaryBox FolderB22 3 --III.2: Arena, 32x45 (22x33), sig.Box Folder22 3 6 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-7 11 24 technical drawingsBox Folder
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22 3 5 photos of set drawingsBox Folder22 3 2 programs 1925-26
Set models
Cena delle Beffe, January 2, 1926 (1927) :
First Metropolitan performance of opera by Umberto Giordano based on the play The Jest by Sem Benelli, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Beniamino Gigli as Gianetto Malaspini, Frances Alda as Ginevra, Titta Ruffo as Neri and Adamo Didur as the Doctor.
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig.:
Box Folder22 4 --Act 1: Banquet Hall, 19x19 (10x15) cm.Box Folder22 4 --Act II, IV, bedroom, 19x19 (9x14) cm.Box Folder22 4 --Act III: Prison, 19x19 (19x15) cm.Box FolderD5 3 4 technical drawingsBox Folder22 4 6 sketches on tracing paperBox Folder22 4 4 photographs of set drawings
La Vida Breve, March 6, 1926. :
First American performance of opera by Manuel de Falla, costumes by Gretl Urban, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Lucrezia Bori as Salud.
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB22 4 --Act I.1: Gypsy, 27x34 (16x24) cm., sig.Box FolderB22 5 --Act II.1: side of Manuel's house, 26x33 (17x24) cm.Box FolderB22 6 --Act II.2: square, 27x34 (16x24) cm.Box FolderD5 4 6 technical drawingsBox Folder22 5 5 photographs of set drawings
Don Quichotte (Don Quixote), April 3, 1926 (1927) :
First Metropolitan performance of comic opera in 5 acts, music by Jules Massenet, book by Henri Cain, costumes by Gretl Urban, directed by Samuel Thewman, conducted by Louis Hasselmans with Florence Easton as Dulcinea, Feodor Chaliapin as Don Quichotte and Giuseppe DeLuca as Sancho.
Box Folder22 6 1 libretto
5 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB22 7 --I: open square, 27x35 (18x24) cm., sig.Box FolderB22 8 --II: The Windmill Scene, 27x35 (18x24) cm., sig.Box FolderB22 9 --III: Bandits Scene A, 27x35 (16x24) cm., sig.Box FolderB22 10 --III: Bandits Scene, 28x38 (17x24) cm.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 77
B22 11 --V: Road in the Woods, 27x34 (16x24) cm., sig.Mapcase Folder14-9-7 12 7 technical drawingsBox Folder22 6 6 photographs of set drawings
Turandot, November 16, 1926 (1930) :
First American performance of lyric opera in 3 acts and 5 scenes, music by Giacomo Puccini, book by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni, costumes by Gretl Urban and B. Brunelleschi, directed by Wilhelm Von Wymetal, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Maria Jeritza as Princess Turandot, Giacomo Lauri-Volpi as Calaf, and Giuseppe DeLuca as Ping.
Box Folder22 7 Director's notes, von Wymetal, 20 p.Box Folder22 7 3 postcards, costumes Austrian productionBox Folder22 7 3 photostats of Buddha figuresBox Folder22 7 7 sketches and plansBox Folder22 7 4 property detail drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-7 13 17 technical drawingsBox Folder22 7 12 photographs of set modelsBox Folder22 7 Program, 3/16/29Box Folder22 7 Article, NY Times Magazine, 11/14/26
Set models
Fidelio, January 22, 1927 (1951) :
Opera in 2 acts, music by Ludwig von Beethoven, libretto by J. Sonnleithner and F. Treitschke from the French by J. N. Bouilly, conducted for the Beethoven Centenary revival by Artur Bodanzky with Nanny Larsen-Todsen as Leonore, Rudolf Laubenthal as Florestan, George Meader as Jacquino and Michael Bohnen as Rocco.
Box Folder22 8 3 librettosBox Folder22 8 Script notes & sketches, 4 p.
4 drawings-watercolor and pencil :Box Folder22 8 --Act I.2: prison yard,17x24 (10x13) cm.Box Folder22 8 --Act II.1: prison, 18x24 (10x16) cm.Box FolderB23 1 --Act II.2: castle terrace, 23x30 (17x24) cm., sig.Mapcase Folder14-9-7 14 8 technical drawingsBox Folder22 8 5 photographs of set drawings.Box Folder22 8 2 programs, 1945-46;1950-51
Set model
The King's Henchman, February 17, 1927 (1929) :
JOSEPH URBAN 78
World premiere of opera in 3 acts, music by Deems Taylor, libretto by Edna St. Vincent Millay, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Lawrence Tibbett as Eadger, Edward Johnson as Aethelwold and Florence Easton as Aelfrida.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB23 2 --Act II: Forest, 24x30 (13x19) cm.
1 drawing, watercolor and ink :1 drawing, watercolor and ink
Box Folder23 1 --Trees, 14x20 (9x12) cm.Box Folder23 1 2 graphed drawings of Act I, III Mapcase Folder14-9-7 15 7 technical drawingsBox Folder23 1 1 bound piano-vocal score, inscr.
Set models
Violanta, November 5, 1927 (1928) :
First American performance of opera with music by E.W. Korngold, written by Hans Müller, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Maria Jeritza as Violanta, Clarence Whitehill as Simone and Walter Kirchhoff as Alfonso.
Box Folder23 2 Libretto
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB23 3 --room (not used A), 27x38 (16x26) cm.,sig.Box FolderB23 4 --room B, 28x38 (20x22) cm.Box Folder23 2 1 fireplace detailMapcase Folder14-9-7 16 14 technical drawingsBox Folder23 2 1 photograph of set drawing
Hänsel und Gretel, November 5, 1927 (1948) :
Fairy opera in 3 acts, music by Engelbert Humperdinck, book by Adelheid Wette, costumes by Gretl Urban, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Editha Fleischer as Hänsel and Queena Mario as Gretel.
Box Folder23 3 LibrettoBox Folder23 3 Set notes by Von Wymetal, 6 p.Box Folder23 3 Sketches and notes, 7 items
Drawing, watercolor and pencil : Box FolderB23 5 --Peasant's room, 26x31 (10x17) cm., sig.Mapcase Folder14-9-7 17 10 technical drawingsBox Folder23 3 6 photographs of sets
Set modelNote: See also Boston January 27, 1912
JOSEPH URBAN 79
Norma, November 16, 1927 (1945) :
Opera in 4 acts and 5 scenes, music by Vincenzo Bellini, book by Felice Romani, costumes by Joseph Urban, directed by Samuel Thewman, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Rosa Ponselle as Norma, and Ezio Pinza as Oroveso.
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB23 6 --II: Norma's room, 27x37 (15x20) cm.Box FolderB23 7 --III: bedroom A, 27x37 (15x20) cm.Box FolderB23 8 --IV.1: Rocky Pass, 27x39 (15x20) cm.Box Folder23 4 2 sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-7 18 10 technical drawingsBox Folder23 4 7 photographs of set drawingsBox Folder23 4 1 program, 1928-29
Set model
La Rondine, March 10, 1928 (1936) :
First American performance of opera in 3 acts, music by Giacomo Puccini, costumes by Joseph Urban, conducted by Vicenzo Bellezza with Lucrezia Bori as Magda and Beniamino Gigli as Ruggero.
Box Folder23 5 Director's notes, Von Wymetal, 17 p.
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB23 9 --I: Magda's salon, 28x37 (14.5x21) cm., sig.Box FolderB23 10 --Ballroom A, 27x34 (14x21) cm.Box FolderB23 11 --Ballroom B, 26x32 (15x21) cm.Box FolderB23 12 --III: Park, 28x38 (15x21) cm., sig.Box Folder23 5 2 set sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-7 19 12 technical drawingsBox Folder23 5 2 photographs of set drawings
Set model
Die Ägyptische Helena (Egyptian Helen), November 6, 1928 (1929) :
First American performance of opera by Richard Strauss, libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Maria Jeritza as Helen and Rudolph Laubenthal as Menelas.
Box FolderA7 4 & 5 Piano score
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderB24 1 --Aithra palace on island, 27x35 (15x20) cm.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 80
B24 2 --Enchanted tent, 27x35 (15x19) cm.Box Folder23 6 14 set notes by von WymetalBox Folder23 6 8 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-7 20 10 technical drawingsBox Folder23 6 8 photographs of sets
Set model
La Campana Sommersa, November 24, 1928 (1930) :
First American performance of opera by Ottorino Respighi based on Gerhart Hauptmann's Die Versunkene Glocke, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Elizabeth Rethberg as Rautendelein, Giovanni Martinelli as Heinrich, Giuseppe DeLuca as Nickelmann and Ezio Pinza as Pastor.
Box Folder23 7 Director's notes, Von Wymetal, 3 p.
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil : Box FolderB24 3 --I, IV: Forest, 27x34 (16x19) cm., sig.Box FolderB24 4 --II: Interior, 15x19, sig.Box FolderB24 5 --III: Smithy, 27x34 (15x19)Mapcase Folder14-9-7 21 5 technical drawingsBox Folder23 7 2 photos of set drawings
Manon, December 22, 1928 (1952) :
Opera in 5 acts with music by Jules Massenet, words by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille, costumes by Joseph Urban, conducted by Louis Hasselmans with Lucrezia Bori as Manon, Beniamino Gigli as Des Grieux, Leon Rothier as Comte Des Grieux and Giuseppe DeLuca as Lescaut.
Box Folder23 8 2 librettosBox Folder23 8 Set notes, Von Wymetal, 5 p.Box Folder23 8 2 research photographs, 18c. interiors
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil, 27x34 (15x19) cm., sig.
Box FolderB24 6 --I: Inn at AmiensBox FolderB24 7 --II: Apartment in ParisBox FolderB24 8 --IV: Hotel gambling roomBox FolderB24 9 --V: Road to HavreBox Folder23 8 8 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-7 22 15 technical drawingsBox Folder23 8 5 photographs of set drawings
JOSEPH URBAN 81
Set modelNote: See also Boston Opera, March 18, 1914
Jonny Spielt Auf, January 19, 1929 :
Opera in two parts by Ernst Krenek, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Michael Bohnen as Jonny and Florence Easton as Anita.
Box Folder23 9 1 libretto Box Folder23 9 2 reference photographsBox Folder23 9 2 clippingsBox Folder23 9 14 sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-8 1 33 technical drawingsBox Folder23 9 14 photographs of sets and scenes
Set model
Louise, March 1, 1929 (1949) :
Opera in 4 acts and 5 scenes by Gustave Charpentier, costumes by Joseph Urban, directed by Wilhelm Von Wymetal, conducted by Louis Hasselmans with Lucrezia Bori as Louise, Antonin Trantoul as Julien, and Leon Rothier as the father.
Box Folder23 10 1 libretto, GermanBox Folder23 10 1 sketch of Act I & IVMapcse Folder14-9-8 2 9 technical drawingsBox Folder23 10 6 photographs of setsBox Folder23 10 2 programs, 1947-1949
Set modelNote: See also Boston Opera, December 18, 1912
Fra Gherardo, March 21, 1929 :
First American performance of opera by Ildebrando Pizzetti, conducted by Tullio Serafin, with Edward Johnson as Gherardo, Maria Mueller as Mariola and Ezio Pinza as the Old Man and Podesta.
Box Folder24 1 2 sets of script notes, German and English, 3 p. each
1 drawing-watercolor and pencil :Box Folder24 1 --Act II: square, 22x25 cm.Box Folder24 1 8 sketches & detailsMapcase Folder14-9-8 3 24 technical drawingsBox Folder24 1 7 photographs of set models and sets
Set model
JOSEPH URBAN 82
Don Giovanni, November 29, 1929 (1953) :
Opera in 2 acts, music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, book by Lorenzo Da Ponte, costumes by Joseph Urban, directed by Wilhelm Von Wymetal, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Ezio Pinza as Don Giovanni, Pavel Ludikar as Leporello, Leonora Corona (for Rosa Ponselle) as Donna Anna, Elisabeth Rethberg as Donna Elvira, Beniamino Gigli as Don Ottavio and Leon Rothier as the Commandante.
Box Folder24 2 LibrettoBox FolderA8 1 11 photographs of previous Met setsBox FolderA8 2 Piano score
2 drawings, watercolor and/or pencil :Box FolderB24 10A --Act I.1: exterior, 28x37 (15x20) cm.Box FolderB24 10 --Act II.5: Giovanni's room, 41x31 cm.Box Folder24 2 13 set sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-8 4 34 technical drawingsBox Folder24 3 27 photographs of set models and setsBox Folder24 3 2 programs, 1929, 1937
Set modelsNote: See also Boston Opera Feb. 7, 1913
Luisa Miller, December 21, 1929 (1931) :
First Metropolitan performance of opera in 3 acts, music by Giuseppe Verdi, book by Salvatore Cammarano based on Schiller's Kabale und Liebe, costumes by Joseph Urban, directed by Ernst Lernt, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Giacomo Lauri-Volpi as Rodolfo, Giuseppe DeLuca as Miller and Rosa Ponselle as Luisa.
Mapcase Folder14-9-8 5 22 technical drawingsBox Folder24 4 6 sketchesBox Folder24 4 10 photographs of setsBox Folder24 4 1 program, 1929-30Box Folder
Set modelBoccaccio January 2, 1931. :
First Metropolitan performance of opera in 3 acts by Franz von Suppe, directed by Wilhelm Von Wymetal, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Maria Jeritza as Boccaccio and George Meader as Scalza.
Box Folder24 5 Set notes, Von Wymetal, 16 p.Box Folder24 5 2 set detailsMapcase Folder14-9-8 6 6 technical drawingsBox Folder24 5 6 photographs of set drawings
JOSEPH URBAN 83
Set models
Schwanda, der Dudelsakpfeifer (Schwanda the Bagpiper), November 7, 1931 (1932) :
First American performance of Czech opera Svanda Dudák with music by Jaromir Weinberger, book by Miles Kares translated into German by Max Brod, choreographed by August Berger, directed by Hanns Niedecken-Gebhard, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Friedrich Schorr as Schwanda.
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB25 1 --City Entrance, 31X39 (26X35) cm. Box Folder24 6 Bagpiper, pencil drawingMapcase Folder14-9-8 7 10 technical drawingsBox Folder24 6 6 photos of drawings & sets
Set model
Donna Juanita, January 2, 1932 :
Fist Metropolitan performance of opera in 3 acts, music by Franz von Suppe, book by F. Zell and Richard Genee, costumes by Lillian Gaertner Palmedo, directed by Hans Niedecken-Gebhard, conducted by Artur Bodanzky with Maria Jeritza as Donna Juanita.
Box FolderA7 6 Booklet, set notesBox Folder24 7 Detail sketchMapcase Folder14-9-8 8 7 technical drawingsBox Folder24 7 3 photographs of setsBox Folder24 7 Program, 1932
Set model
Peter Ibbetson, February 7, 1932 (1935) :
World premiere of opera in 3 acts and 8 scenes based on novel by George Du Maurier, music by Deems Taylor, libretto by Constance Collier and Deems Taylor, directed by Wilhelm von Wymetal, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Edward Johnson as Peter Ibbetson, Lucrezia Bori as Mary and Lawrence Tibbett as Colonel Ibbetson. Urban also designed the costumes for the 1933-1935 performances.
Box Folder25 1 LibrettoBox Folder25 1 Set notes, 11p.
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB25 2 --II.1: InnBox FolderB25 3 --II.2: GardenBox Folder25 1 7 set sketches and notesBox Folder25 1 13 technical drawings, furnitureMapcase Folder14-9-8 9 19 technical drawings
JOSEPH URBAN 84
Box Folder25 1 1 program, 1931-1932
Set model
Box Folder24 7 Piano-vocal score, inscr. Deems Taylor
La Sonnambula, March 16, 1932 (1935) :
Opera in 3 acts, 4 scenes with music by Vincenzo Bellini, book by Felice Romani, conducted by Tullio Serafin with Lily Pons as Amina, Beniamino Gigli as Elvino and Ezio Penza as Count Rudolfo.
Box Folder25 2 LibrettoBox Folder25 2 3 detail drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-8 10 13 technical drawingsBox Folder25 2 3 photos of set drawingsBox Folder25 2 Program, 1931-1932
Set model
Electra, December 3, 1932 (1962) :
First Metropolitan performance of opera in one act, music by Richard Strauss, libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, costumes by Lillian Gaertner Palmedo, conducted in the first Metropolitan performance by Artur Bodanzky with Gertrude Kappel as Electra, Karin Branzell as Clytemnestra, Rudolf Laubenthal as Aigisthus and Friedrich Schorr as Orestes.
2 drawings, watercolor, sig. :Mapcase Folder14-10-2 1 --Set, 50x65 (36x50) cm.Box FolderD5 5 --Set, 45x62 (28x46) cm.Box FolderB25 4 Mounted photograph of set drawingBox Folder25 3 7 technical drawingsMapcase Folder14-9-8 10 6 technical drawingsBox Folder25 3 2 programs, 1937-1952Box FolderD5 5 Picture of set model from article
Set model
Undated or Unproduced :
Box Folder25 4 Walküre
1 librettoBox Folder25 4 Notes, 1 p.Box Folder25 4 2 drawings of Act III, pencilMapcase Folder14-9-8 11 8 technical drawingsBox Folder25 4 3 mounted photos of set drawings
JOSEPH URBAN 85
Set model
Box Folder25 5 Metropolitan Opera Stage PlansMapcase Folder14-9-8 12 8 technical drawingsBox Folder25 6 Portfolio Cover, early opera plansBox FolderD6 Wiener Werkstätte scrapbook cover, 50x50 cm.
Librettos :
Box Folder25 7 Josephs Legende (Legend of Joseph):
--Guide to the balletBox FolderA7 7 --Piano scoreBox Folder25 7 Meistersinger
2 librettosBox Folder25 7 Merman and Mermaid
1 librettoBox Folder25 7 Pearl Fishers
1 librettoBox Folder25 7 Rheingold
1 librettoBox Folder25 8 Trovatore
1 piano scoreBox Folder25 8 Villi
1 libretto
3.6: Film, 1915-1931
Joseph Urban was art director for William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan Productions from 1919 to 1925. He also worked a year for the Fox Film Studios in 1930, drawn to the one source of income not devastatingly depleted by the Great Depression. Each film is listed by title, followed by the name of the producing studio and the releasing company, the production number and the release date. The files contain letters, contracts, reference and photo scrapbooks, drawings, photographs and articles. Some of the productions contain photographs which mark, for purposes of comparison, whether the set was lighted by the director or by Urban. Items of interest include a color key, a numbered code for how colors would photograph in black and white under studio lights, and a letter dated January 1920 which discusses whether the director or the studio should control the making of the film. The photo scrapbooks picture all the sets used for the Hearst films and show the attention to detail used for period sets as well as the imagination employed for the modern interiors. The reference scrapbooks provide an example of how Urban sourced his designs.
Cosmopolitan Productions, 1920-23 :
Box Folder25 9 Contract, Feb. 19, 1920, 2 p.Box Folder25 9 7 letters, 1920-1921, 10 p.Box Folder25 9 Articles, 1920-1923, 6 p.Box Folder25 9 4 photographs of color key
JOSEPH URBAN 86
Box FolderC5 3 Article and letter from Gurschner, 1923
Strand Theater Stage Set, 1915 :
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil:Box FolderB25 4A --stage and orchestra set, 24x34 cm., sig.Box Folder25 10 Plan for stage setBox Folder25 10 2 photographs of set
Rivoli Theater Stage Setting, 1919 :
2 drawings, Watercolor and/or pencil :Box FolderC5 4 --Mythical scene, 35x47 cm. Box FolderD5 6A --Stage, 39x40 (37x39) cm.Box Folder25 11 Set notes, 1 p.Box FolderD5 6 5 technical drawingsBox Folder25 11 2 photographs of stage setting
The Golem, UFA/Paramount, 1920 (US 1921) :
German film written by Paul Wegener and Henrik Galeen, set designed by Hans Polzig, directed by Paul Wegener and Carl Boese, with Paul Wegener, Albert Steinruck and Ernst Deutsch.
Box Folder26 1 47 photographs of scenes
Humoresque, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #5, 1920 :
Written by Frances Marion based on the stories by Fannie Hurst, directed by Frank Borzage with Alma Rubens, Gaston Glass and Vera Gordon.
Box Folder26 2 2 photographs of sets & sceneBox FolderA8 3 1 photograph, Venetian Court Box C6 Scrapbook #1
The Restless Sex, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #6, September 12, 1920 :
Romantic comedy-drama based on the Robert W. Chambers story, by Leo d'Usseau, costumes by Erté, directed by Robert Z. Leonard with Marion Davies, Carlyle Blackwell and Ralph Kellard. Norma Shearer played a bit part. Premiered at the Criterion Theater where the manager Hugo Riesenfeld composed music around the Marion Davies Waltz for the live Prologue, The Garden of Eden designed by Urban.
Mapcase Folder14-9-8 14 6 technical drawingsBox Folder26 3 7 sketches & notesBox Folder26 3 4 photographs of sets and scenesBox C6 Scrapbook #1
Note: See also Miss 1917 for drawing of Garden of Eden Prolog set
JOSEPH URBAN 87
The World and His Wife, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #7, 1920 :
Adapted from the play by Charles Frederic Nirdlinger which was based on the Spanish poem El Gran Galeoto by Jose Echegaray, screenplay by Frances Marion, directed by Robert G. Vignola with Alma Rubens, Montagu Love, Pedro de Córdoba and Gaston Glass.
Box Folder26 4 18 photographs of sets and scenesBox C6 Scrapbook #1
Heliotrope, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #8, 1920. :
Based on Whiff of the Heliotrope by Richard Washburn Child, directed by George D. Baker with Frederick Burton.
Box Folder26 5 9 photographs of sets & scenesBox C6 Scrapbook #1
Inside of the Cup, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #10, 1921 :
Written by George Dubois Proctor based on a novel by Winston Churchill, directed by Albert Capellani with William Carleton and David Torrence.
Box Folder26 6 5 photographs of sets and scenesBox FolderA8 4 & 5 2 photographs of Church altarBox C6 Scrapbook #1
Passionate Pilgrim, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #11, 1921 :
Directed by Robert G. Vignola with Matt Moore and Mary Newcombe
Box FolderC6 Scrapbook #1
Buried Treasure, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #12, 1921 :
Written by F. Britten Austin, directed by George D. Baker, starring Marion Davies and Norman Kerry.
14 drawings-watercolor and/or pencil :Box Folder26 7 --12 decorations of ship panels, paper, 11x13 cm.Box FolderB25 5 --1 pirate ship stern, 26x20 cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-8 15 --Elevation of pirate ship, 74x90 cm.Box Folder26 7 1 print of altar, retouchedBox Folder26 7 & 8 23 photographs of sets & scenesBox FolderA8 6-9 4 photographs of sets
Set model
Box C6 Scrapbook #1
JOSEPH URBAN 88
Straight Is the Way, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #15, 1921 :
Directed by Robert G. Vignola with Matt Moore.
Box C6 Scrapbook #1
Proxies, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #16, 1921 :
Story by Frank R. Adams, directed by George D. Baker with Norman Kerry and Zena Keefe.
Box Folder26 9 1 photograph, Set 16.9, StairsBox C7 Scrapbook #2
Bride's Play, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #18, 1921 :
Story by Donn Byrne, directed by George Terwilliger, with Marion Davies and Wyndham Standing.
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil:Box Folder26 10 --Drawbridge, 17x25 (15x21) cm.Box Folder26 10 --Servant's room, 19x22 (17x20) cm.Box Folder26 10 --Wedding, 23x21 (19x20) cm.Box Folder26 10 5 plans & sketchesBox Folder26 10 Prolog, set sketchMapcase Folder14-9-8 16 3 technical drawings, PrologBox Folder26 10 & 11 36 photographs of sets & scenesBox A8, A9 12 photographs of drawings, sets & scenesBox C7 Scrapbook #2
The Wild Goose, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #19, 1921 :
Story by Gouveneur Morris, directed by Albert Capellani with Norman Kerry and Mary MacLaren. New York premiere at the Rialto May 1921.
Box Folder27 1 1 photograph of setBox FolderA9 7 1 photograph of setBox C7 Scrapbook #2
The Woman God Changed, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #20, 1921 :
Directed by Robert G. Vignola with Seena Owen.
Box Folder27 2 1 drawing, watercolor and pencil:1 drawing, watercolor and pencilBox FolderD5 6B --Courtroom scene, 35x55 cm.Box FolderA9 8 & 9 2 photographs of set & sceneBox C7 Scrapbook #2
JOSEPH URBAN 89
Get-Rich-Quick, Wallingford, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #21, 1921 :
Written by Luther Reed from a play by George M. Cohan based on George Randolph Chester's Wallingford stories, directed by Frank Borzage with Sam Hardy, Doris Kenyon, Norman Kerry and Billie Dove.
Box Folder27 3 4 photographs of sets Box FolderA9 10 & 11 2 photographs of setsBox C7 Scrapbook #2
Just Around the Corner, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #22, 1921 :
Story by Fannie Hurst, directed by Frances Marion with Fred Thomson and Sigrid Holmquist.
Box C7 Scrapbook #2
Enchantment, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #23, 1921 :
Written by Frank R. Adams, directed by Robert G. Vignola with Marion Davies and Forrest Stanley
Box Folder27 4 Clipping of Sleeping Beauty setBox Folder27 4 5 renderings of Fairy Tale scenesBox FolderA9 12 1 drawing of silhouette birth sceneBox Folder27 5 19 reference photographsBox Folder27 6 30 photographs of sets & scenesBox FolderA9 13-29 18 mounted photographs of sets and scenesBox FolderA9 30 Mounted graphed elevation and photo of fairy tale drawingBox C7 Scrapbook #2
Back Pay, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #24, 1922 :
Story by Fannie Hurst, written by Frances Marion, directed by Frank Borzage, with Seena Owen and Matt Moore.
Box Folder27 7Box FolderA10 1 Photograph of sceneBox C7 Scrapbook #2
Boomerang Bill, Paramount/Cosmopolitan, #26, 1922 :
Written by Jack Boyle and Doty Hobart, directed by Tom Terriss with Lionel Barrymore
Box Folder27 8 2 photographs of sets Box FolderA10 2-5 4 photographs of setsBox C7 Scrapbook #2
JOSEPH URBAN 90
Find the Woman, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #A1, 1922 :
Story by Arthur Somers Roche, directed by Tom Terriss with Alma Rubens, Norman Kerry and Harrison Ford.
Box FolderC7 Scrapbook #2
The Young Diana, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #27, 1922 :
Written by Marie Corelli and Luther Reed, directed by Robert G. Vignola and Albert Capellani, with Marion Davies, Clara Kimball Young, Pedro de Córdoba and Forrest Stanley.
Box Folder27 9 Letter from William Randolph HearstBox Folder27 9 Chair elevations, graphite and colored pencil, 10x18 cm.Box Folder27 9 2 photographs-Dimitrius' StudyBox FolderA10 6-8 3 photographs-Dimitrius' LabBox C7 Scrapbook #2
Beauty Shop, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #30, 1922 :
Based on the play by Channing Pollock, directed by Edward Dillon with Raymond Hitchcock.
Box C8 Scrapbook #3
Beauty's Worth, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #31, 1922. :
Story by Sophie Kerr, screenplay by Luther Reed, directed by Robert G. Vignola, starring Marion Davies, released March 26, 1922.
Mapcase Folder14-9-8 17 5 technical drawingsBox Folder27 10 Photograph of Doll sceneBox C8 Scrapbook #3
Sisters, Cosmopolitan #32 :
Box C8 Scrapbook #3
The Good Provider, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #34, 1922 :
Story by Fannie Hurst, written by John Lynch, directed by Frank Borzage with Vera Gordon, Dore Davidson and Vivienne Osborne.
Box C8 Scrapbook #3
When Knighthood Was In Flower, Cosmopolitan/Paramount. #35, 1922 :
Novel by Charles Major, screenplay by Luther Reed, directed by Robert G. Vignola with Marion Davies, Forrest Stanley, Lyn Harding, Pedro de Córdoba and William Powell.
Box C9 Reference Scrapbook
JOSEPH URBAN 91
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :2 drawings, watercolor and pencil
Box Folder27 11 --Inn room, 21x26 (20x24) cm.Box Folder27 11 --entranceway, 21x24 (14x11) cm.Box FolderA10 9 Retouched photographs of DoorsMapcase Folder14-9-8 18 Blueprint, Set 27Box Folder27 11 12 photos of sets and scenesBox C8 Scrapbook #3
Valley of Silent Men, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #36, 1922 :
Story by James Oliver Curwood, directed by Frank Borzage with Lew Cody and Alma Rubens.
Box C8 Scrapbook #3
Face in the Fog, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #37, 1922 :
Boston Blackie mystery drama, directed by Alan Crosland with Lionel Barrymore and Seena Owen.
Box C8 Scrapbook #3
Adam and Eva, Cosmopolitan/Paramount, #39, 1923 :
Adapted by Luther Reed from the stage comedy by Guy Bolton and George Middleton, directed by Robert G. Vignola with Marion Davies, T. Roy Barnes and Edward Douglas.
Box C10 Scrapbook #4
Enemies of Women, Cosmopolitan /Goldwyn, #40, 1923 :
Based on book by Vicente Blasco Ibanez, script by John Lynch, choreographed by Mary Urban, costumes by Gretl Urban, directed by Alan Crosland with Lionel Barrymore, Pedro de Córdoba, and Alma Rubens.
Box Folder27 12 1 photograph of Monte Carlo Mapcase Folder14-9-8 18 4 technical drawings Box C10 Scrapbook #4
Note: See also Square Yard Book Misc 1923-1924
The Go-Getter, Cosmopolitan/Goldwyn, #42, 1923 :
Story by Peter B. Kyne, directed by Edward H. Griffith with T. Roy Barnes and Seena Owen.
Box C10 Scrapbook #4
Little Old New York, Cosmopolitan/Goldwyn, #43, 1923 :
Written by Luther Reed based upon the play by Rida Johnson Young, special music by Victor Herbert, costumes by Gretl Urban, directed by Sidney Olcott with Marion Davies and Harrison Ford. Urban renovated the Park Theater, renamed the Cosmopolitan Theater, for the August 1 premiere.
JOSEPH URBAN 92
Box C9 Reference ScrapbookBox Folder27 13 3 photographs of setsMapcase Folder14-9-8 20 2 prop drawings, diplomasMapcase Folder14-9-8 20 2 blueprints, Cosmopolitan Theater stage setBox C10 Scrapbook #4
Note: See also Architecture and Design: Cosmopolitan Theater
Unseeing Eyes, (Snowblind) Cosmopolitan/Goldwyn, #45, 1923 :
Adapted from Snowblind by Arthur Stringer, screenplay by Bayard Veiller, directed by E. H. Griffith with Lionel Barrymore and Seena Owen. Original music composed by Erno Rapee.
Box C10 Scrapbook #4
Under the Red Robe, Cosmopolitan/Goldwyn, #46,1923 :
From story by Simon Weyman, adapted by Bayard Veiller, driected by Alan Crosland with Alma Rubens, John Charles Thomas, Robert B. Mantell and William Powell. Opened at the Cosmopolitan Theater where Victor Herbert conducted his overture and Frederick Stahlberg conducted the picture score by William Frederick Peters.
Box C11 Reference scrapbookBox FolderB25 6 Elevation, King's audienceBox Folder27 14 6 photographs of setsBox C10 Scrapbook #4
Yolanda, Cosmopolitan/Metro-Goldwyn, #48, February 19, 1924 :
Story by Charles Major adapted by Luther Reed, directed by Robert G. Vignola, cameramen Ira H. Morgan and George Barnes, special musical score by William Frederick Peters, overture composed by Victor Herbert, costumes by Gretl Urban, with Marion Davies, Lyn Harding, Holbrook Blinn, Maclyn Arbuckle, and Johnny Dooley.
Box C12-13 Reference scrapbookMapcase Folder14-9-8 21 2 technical drawingsBox Folder27 15 4 rough sketchesBox C14 Scrapbook #5
The Great White Way, (Cain and Mabel), Cosmopolitan/Metro-Goldwyn, #49, 1924 :
Story by H. C. Witwer, written by Larry Doyle and Luther Reed, directed by E. Mason Hopper with Anita Stewart, T. Roy Barnes, and Oscar Shaw.
Mapcase Folder14-9-8 22 2 blueprintsBox Folder27 16 1 photograph of setBox C14 Scrapbook #5
JOSEPH URBAN 93
Janice Meredith, Cosmopolitan/Metro-Goldwyn, #51, 1924 :
Written by Lillie Hayward based on Paul Leicester Ford novel, music by Deems Taylor, costumes by Gretl Urban, directed by E. Mason Hopper with Marion Davies, Harrison Ford, Tyrone Power, Sr., Olin Howlin and W. C. Fields.
Box C15-16 Reference scrapbookBox Folder27 17 3 photographs of setsMapcase Folder14-9-8 23 2 blueprints of stage set for premiereBox C14 Scrapbook #5
Zander the Great, Cosmopolitan/Metro-Goldwyn, 1925 :
Adapted by Frances Marion and Lillie Hayward from the play by Salisbury Field, costumes by Gretl Urban, musical score by Victor Schertzinger, directed by George Hill with Marion Davies, Holbrook Blinn, Harrison Ford, Olin Howlin, John Huff and Hedda Hopper.
Box Folder27 18Box FolderD5 7 2 ground plans
Fox Movietone City Studio, 1930 :
Box Folder28 1 3 photographs of studio lot
Big Trail, Fox,1930 :
Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Box Folder28 2 4 photographs of publicity
East Lynne, Fox, 1931 :
Written by Bradley King and Tom Barry from the novel by Mrs. Henry Wood, directed by Frank Lloyd, starring Ann Harding and Clive Brook.
Box FolderD5 8 3 sketches and technical drawingsBox Folder28 3 54 photographs of setsBox Folder28 4 Scottish Song book
3.7: Architecture and Design, 1914-1933
This subseries chronicles Urban's numerous design and architectural projects. The files contain watercolor renderings, technical drawings, and photographs. Items of interest are the files on exhibits, the Wiener Werkstätte gallery, the extensive work for the unrealized Metropolitan Opera House, the designs for store fronts and restaurants, the drawings for the New School, the Palace of the Soviets proposal and the Suburban Movie Theater. There is very little on some projects such as the Palm Beach buildings and the Hearst International Magazine Building. The file on Mar A Lago, for example, lacks plans and is almost entirely made up of photographs and magazine articles.
United Shoe Machinery Company, 1914 :
JOSEPH URBAN 94
Urban designed 50 panels on the history of the shoe for a San Francisco Exposition display.
Box Folder28 5 List of sketches & platesBox Folder28 5 3 sketchesBox Folder28 5 20 photos of costumes
Conry's House, 1915 :
Box Folder28 6 2 pencil sketchesBox Folder28 6 5 wall decorationsBox Folder28 6 3 photographs of hallway
Note: See also Liberty Theater 1917
Century Theater Roof, 1916 :
Mapcase Folder14-9-9 1 5 blueprints, Carrere and Hastings
Note: See also Ziegfeld: Century Roof Garden, January 18, 1917
Liberty Theater, 1917 :
Box Folder28 8 2 drawings of mermaid panelBox Folder28 8 26 photographs, wall decorations
Buck House, Gene, 1919 :
Urban decorated Gene Buck's house in Great Neck shortly after the Ziegfeld writer's marriage.
Box Folder28 9Mapcase Folder14-9-9 2 5 blueprints
War Memorial, 1919 :
Studies for G. S. Mandell, editor of the Boston Transcript and the New York Tribune
8 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box Folder28 10 --Ground plan, 22x22 cm.Box Folder28 10 --Detail A, 26x19 (19x15) cm.Box Folder28 10 --Detail B, 22x22 (15x16) cm., sig.Box FolderB25 8 --Sanctuary, 41x28 (29x17) cm., sig. Box FolderB25 9 --Conception, 33x25 (23.5x14) cm., sig.Box Folder28 10 --Portal of Honor, 22x22 (18x15) cm., sig.Box Folder28 10 --Peace Memorial on Palisade, 22x20 (19x16) cm., sig.Box Folder28 10 --Perception on Terrace, 26x20 (20x14) cm., sig.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 95
28 10 12 photographs of renderings
Sherman Hotel Tiger Room, Chicago, 1920 :
Box Folder28 11 34 photographs of wall decorations
Dodge Brothers Banquet, February, 1921. :
Urban designed the grand ballroom in the Waldorf Astoria for the Dodge Brothers' 6th Annual Dealers' luncheon.
Box Folder28 12 3 photographs of decorative detailBox Folder28 12 2 photographs of the banquet room
Wiener Werkstätte, June 1922 :
Box Folder28 13 7 sketches of furnitureBox FolderB25 10 3 showroom plansBox Folder28 13 7 articles re opening, 17 p.Box Folder28 13 Drawing of chair by fire place, 20x20 (13x13) cm.Box FolderB25 11 Scrapbook, 31 p.Box Folder28 13 4 photographs of New York showroomBox Folder28 13 4 photographs of Chicago exhibitBox Folder28 13 2 photographs of Klimt paintingBox Folder28 13 St. Etienne Gallery catalog and invitation, 1966
Rialto Theater Stage, June, 1922 :
Drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderD5 9 --stage elevationBox Folder29 1 1 working sketchMapcase Folder14-9-9 3 7 technical drawings
Fulton Theater, Fall, 1922 :
Box Folder29 2Box FolderA10 10 2 Fairy Tale Illustrations
Lyon and Healey Store Window, Chicago, November, 1922 :
Box Folder29 3 Sketches, 10 p. Mapcase Folder14-9-9 4 6 technical drawingsBox Folder29 3 8 photographs of window & plans
JOSEPH URBAN 96
Cosmopolitan Theater, August 1, 1923. :
The Park Theater was renovated and renamed for the film premiere of Little Old New York.
Box E3 Watercolor drawing of floral panel decoration, 25x71 cm.Box Folder29 4 Watercolor drawing of floral wall decorationBox Folder29 4 6 sketches and notes Mapcase Folder14-9-9 5 4 technical drawingsBox Folder29 4 41 photographs of before and after
Note: See also Film: Little Old New York and Janice Meredith
Daily Mirror Float, September 5, 1924 :
Designed for the National Beauty Pageant at Atlantic City. The float carried the 8 New York contestants in a Boardwalk parade and won first prize.
Box Folder29 5 1 photograph
Camp House, Dallas, Texas, 1925-1926 :
Box Folder29 6 Specifications booklet, August 1926
Mar-A-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida, 1925-1926 :
This house was designed for Mrs. E. F. Hutton, the former Marjorie Merriweather Post
Box Folder29 7 Telegram, 8/9/26Box Folder29 7-11 141 photographsBox Folder30 1 141 photographs (cont.)Mapcase A11-A14 174 photographs by GeislerBox Folder30 1 2 American Architect reprints, 6/19/24Box FolderA14 44 3 articles, 1929, 1965Box C17 Scrapbook
Demarest Little Castle, Palm Beach, Florida, Oct.1925-Apr. 1926 :
House planned for the Hypoluxo Island estate belonging to John M. Demarest of Roslyn, Long Island. According to Mary Urban, the plans were abandoned after Mrs. Demarest fell seriously ill.
6 drawings, watercolor and pencil:Box FolderB26 1 --Arch/chandelier detailBox FolderD7 1 --Grounds and house plan, 54x39 cm.Box FolderD7 2 --South end elevation and plan, 39x57 cm.Box FolderD7 3 --Elevation, North and West side, 46x47 cm.Box FolderD7 4 --Elevation, [East side], 38x55 cm.
JOSEPH URBAN 97
Box FolderD7 5 --Elevations, landings & entrance, 41x49 cm.
Paramount Theater, Sunrise Building, Palm Beach, Florida, 1926 :
Box FolderD7 6 1 drawing, watercolor and pencil:
--Elevation of proposed theater, 38x50 (30x40) cm.Box E4-E5 2 ground plansBox D7-D8 7 technical drawings on boardBox Folder30 3 1 drawing, Fish panelBox Folder30 3 6 sketches & notesMapcase Folder14-9-9 6 7 technical drawingsBox FolderB26 2 Rough sketchBox FolderB26 2 8 prints of proposed theater building by D. DouglassBox FolderB26 2 Photograph of auditoriumBox Folder30 3 10 photographs of drawings & building
Biddle House, Palm Beach,1926 :
Mapcase Folder14-9-9 7 2 technical drawingsBox Folder30 4 18 photographsBox FolderA10 11 Photograph of Grilled door
Bath and Tennis Club, Palm Beach, Florida, July 1926 :
Mapcase Folder14-9-9 8 2 technical drawingsBox Folder30 5 14 photographs Box FolderC5 6 12 etchings
Oasis Club, Summer 1926 :
Box Folder30 6 8 photographsBox FolderB26 3 4 photographsMapcase Folder14-9-9 9 2 blueprints
Metropolitan Opera House, Proposed, 1926-1927 :
Mapcase Folder14-10-2 3 Preliminary sketch 57th St., 75x50 cm.
Scheme I :Scheme I
Box Folder30 7 --5 plans, photostatsMapcase Folder14-9-1 11 --32 plans, photostatsBox
JOSEPH URBAN 98
E6-E12 --7 photographs and plans on board
Scheme II :Scheme II Box Folder30 7 --Specs, 13 p.Box Folder14-9-1 12 --15 plans, photostatsBox E13-E29 --17 plans on board
Scheme III :Scheme III
Box Folder30 7 --Specs, 11 p.Box E30-E40 --11 plans on board
Scheme IV :Scheme IV
Box Folder30 7 --Specs, 10 p.Box Folder30 7 --10 plans, photostatsBox E41-E50 --10 plans on board
Scheme V :Scheme V
Mapcase Folder14-9-1 13 --13 plans, blueprints and photostats
Scheme VI :Scheme VI
Box Folder30.7 7 --38 plans, photostatsBox FolderC18 1 --2 plans, photostatsBox E51-E63 --13 Scheme VI plans on boardBox FolderC18 2 --Ground floor plan, undated, ink & pencil
Scheme VII :Scheme VII
Box Folder30 7 --10 sketches and plansBox FolderD8 5 --21 sketches and plans
Scheme VIII :Scheme VIII
Box Folder30 7 --81 plans Mapcase Folder14-9-1 14 --36 plans
Scheme IX :Scheme IX
Box Folder30 8 --Material, 58 specs, plans, photosBox FolderB26 4-6 --Material, 36 etchings, plans, photosMapcase Folder14-9-1 15 --Material, 36 plansMapcase Folder14-9-9 10 --Ground plan, 82x126 cm.Box E64-E77 --14 mounted photographs of modelsBox Folder30 8 Start of Sch. 9 file, 5/10/27, 23 p.Box Folder30 8 Start of Sch. 9 file, 5/21/27, 8 p.
JOSEPH URBAN 99
Box Folder30 8 7 negatives of Scheme IX June 1927Box FolderB26 7 96 plans, photostatsBox Folder30 8 Specs, 4 p.Box Folder30 8 62 negative photostats, June 1927Box Folder30 8 14 photographs of plansBox E78-E114 36 plans on boardBox FolderC18 3 2 positive photostats, Jan. 1928
Ziegfeld Theatre, 1926-27 :
Box Folder30 9 3 wall patternsBox Folder30 9 2 wall mural drawings
6 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB27 1 --lobby, Flower detail, not used A, 27x35 (20x25) cm.Box FolderB27 2 --lobby, Flower detail, not used B, 26x31 (24x29) cm.Box FolderB27 3 --lobby, Flower detail, not used C, 23x36 (19x32) cm.Box FolderB27 4 --lobby, Flower detail, not used D, 26x31 (24x29) cm.Box FolderB27 5 --lobby, Flower detail, not used, 20x29 (9x29) cm.Box FolderB27 6 --balcony ceiling, 32X36 (29X34) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-9 11 25 technical drawingsBox Folder30 9 Secretary's journal and budget, 2 p. Box Folder30 9 37 photographs, interior & exteriorBox FolderB27 7 13 photographsBox Folder30 9 2 etchings of front exterior, DouglassBox FolderB27 8 5 etchings of front exterior, DouglassBox Folder30 9 Ground plan, balcony
2 drawings :Mapcase Folder14-10-1 B.4 --Street front, watercolor, 49x57 cm.Box Fl. 15 --Street front, charcoal on paper, Hugh Ferriss, 100x92 (84x73) cm.Box Folder30 9 4 articles, 1927-1930, 17 p.Box Folder30 9 2 congratulations notesBox Folder30 9 2 articles, 1967
Note: See also Architectural Detail scrapbook, p. 12-14, 19 in C17
St. Regis Hotel, 1927-1928 :
JOSEPH URBAN 100
Box Folder31 1 Notes and sketches, 16 p.
7 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB27 9 --Roof Garden dining room, 29x36 cm.Box FolderD9 1 --Screen scheme, 50x31 (30x12) cm., sig.Box Folder31 1 --Room A and B print, 20x25 (15x15) cm.Box Folder31 1 --2 Fish Details, 15x18 cm.Box FolderC18 4 --Seaglade Wall Decoration, 24x42 (22x40) cm.Box FolderE115 --Door panelsMapcase Folder14-9-9 12 26 technical drawingsBox Folder31 1 22 photographsBox Folder31 1 1 postcard
Temple Israel, Lawrence, Long Island, Fall 1927-1929 (not built) :
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box E116 --exterior, 46x62 (36x57) cm.Box FolderD9 2 --interior, 48x43 (36x41) cm.Box E117-E119 3 ground plansBox Folder31 2 Bookplate for Rabbi Isaac LandmanBox Folder31 2 8 photographs of plans
Reinhardt Theater, proposed, 1928 :
4 drawings, watercolor and pencil, sig. :Box FolderD9 3 --Front elevation, 35x43 (25x34) cm.Box FolderD9 4 --Facade, 50x38 (37x29) cm.Box FolderB27 10 --View of Stage, 38x29 (24x17) cm.Box FolderB27 11 --Auditorium, 38x29 (24x16) cm.Box FolderB27 12 Print of facade drawing, 32x27 (23x18) cm.Box Folder31 3 22 plans, photostatsBox FolderC18 5 48 plans, photostatsBox Folder31 3 5 photographs of drawings
Music Center, 1928 :
The pencil rendering of the Greek Theater Garden and the print of the Greek Theater Concert stage were exhibited in the 1930 annual exhibit of the Architectural League of New York.
2 drawings:Box FolderC18 6 --Greek Theater garden, pencil, 49x38 (23x27) cm.
JOSEPH URBAN 101
Box FolderC19 1 --Greek Theater Concert set, print, 37x37 (27x23) cm.Box Folder31 4 11 photostats of plansBox FolderC19 2 4 photostats of plans dated 2/1/28Box FolderC19 3-8 6 mounted photographs of modelBox Folder31 4 4 photographs Box FolderA10 12 Photograph of proscenium
Note: See also Theatres 1929
Hotel Gibson Roof Garden, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1928 :
Box Folder31 5 Sketches, notes, letter
1 drawing, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB28 1 --ProsceniumMapcase Folder14-9-10 1 10 technical drawingsBox Folder31 5 4 photostats of chair designsBox Folder31 5 9 photographs of roof garden
Unidentified Drawings, 1928 :
Box Folder31 5A
6 drawings, watercolor and pencil on board, sig. :
D9 5 --5th Ave side, night street scene, 43x35 (29x21) cm.Box FolderD9 6 --5th Ave elevation, 49x38 (36x28) cm.Box FolderD10 1 --lobby, 43x50 cm.Box FolderD10 2 --Armchair, 41x31 (33x24) cm.Box FolderB28 2 --Front elevation, 2nd scheme, 44x35 (34x26) cm.Box FolderD10 3 --Building in daytime street scene, 44x35 (30x23) cm.Box Folder31 6 4 photostats of arm chairBox Folder31 6 2 photographs of Night street scene drawing
Kaufmann Department Store, Proposed, Pittsburgh, Pa., July 23, 1928 :
11 drawings, watercolor and/or pencil, sig.:Box FolderD10 4 --Front elevations, 47x49 (42x40) cm.Box FolderD10 5 --Entrance, 47x49 (21x23) cm.Box FolderD10 6 --Counter area, 47x49 (21x23) cm.Box FolderD10 7 --View towards Mezzanine, 47x49 (21x31) cm.Box FolderD10 8 --First Floor Plan, 47x49 (38x41) cm.
JOSEPH URBAN 102
Box FolderD10 9 --Mezzanine Floor Plan, 47x49 (38x41) cm.Box FolderD10 10 --Special Counters, 47x49 (31x32) cm.Box FolderD10 11 --Counters, grill detail, 47x49 (25x28) cm.Box FolderD11 1 --First Floor detail, 29x30 (25x27) cm.Box FolderD11 2 --First Floor Ceiling Plan, 29x30 (25x27) cm.Box FolderD11 3 --Ground plan of beauty Salon, Scott and Teegen
Bossert Hotel, Grill Room, Brooklyn, 1928 :
Box FolderD11 4 3 watercolor drawings of screen & plans, 33x59 cm., 2 sig.Box Folder31 7 13 technical drawings, detailMapcase Folder14-9-10 2 3 technical drawings & printsBox Folder31 7 9 photographs
Bedell Department Store, New York City, August 6, 1928 :
2 drawings, pencil, sig. :Box FolderD11 5 --34th Street elevation, 48x48 (26x26) cm.Box FolderD12 1 --Section, Rotunda, Exhibition Hall, 48x48 (21x21) cm.
5 drawings, watercolor, August 6, 1928, sig. : Box FolderD12 2 --perspective of 34th St. elevation, 48x49 (20x20) cm.Box FolderD12 3 --show window, 48x49 (20x20) cm.Box FolderD12 4 --Show room, 48x49 (20x20) cm.Box FolderD12 5 --Millinery Department, 48x48 (20x20) cm.Box FolderB28 3 --elevator, 28x31 (23x20) cm.Box Folder31 8 1 watercolor sketch of Millinery DepartmentBox Folder31 8 5 photographs of design Box FolderA10 13 9 photographs of storeBox FolderC19 9 7 photographs of StoreBox Folder31 8 Architectural Forum, 2 p.
William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, August 1928, 1932 :
The opening for the renovated hotel was held in May of 1929. The ChatterBox Room was commissioned in 1932.
6 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderD13 1 --Tea Room detail and plan, 51x43 cm., sig.Box FolderD13 2 --Exhibition Room, 51x43 (33x34) cm., sig.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 103
D13 3 --Men's Lounge, 51x43 cm., sig.Box FolderD13 4 --Ballroom, 34x51 (25x45) cm., sig.Box FolderD13 5 --Ballroom Ceiling Decoration, 37x50 (30x41) cm.Box FolderC19 10 --Wall Panel, 46x19 (18x12) cm.Box E120 --2 Wall panels, ChatterBox Room, 20x68 cm.Box Folder31 9 Hotel magazine cover, 5/29Box Folder31 9 3 photos of ChatterBox Room
New Amsterdam Roof, 1928 :
Urban redesigned the New Amsterdam roof garden for Ziegfeld's final Midnight Frolic which opened December 29, 1928.
Box Folder31 10
2 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box FolderB31 9 --Butterfly-floral pattern, yellow, 26x32 (15x32) cm.Box FolderB31 10 --section: elephant panel, 37x16 (27x11) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-10 3 5 technical drawings
International Magazine Building, 1928-1929 :
Box Folder31 11 6 photographsBox FolderC20 1 8 photographs and one etching
Encyclopaedia Britannica article, 1928-1929
Box Folder31 12 Article on Steele MacKaye, 9 p.Box Folder31 12 Letter from Percy MacKaye, ts., 4 p.
Hutton Ball, 1928
3 drawings, watercolor and pencil on board : Box FolderB31 11 --A: Mountain background, 29x38 (23x33) cm.Box FolderC19 11 --B: Mountain with floral foreground, 36x42 (24x30) cm.Box FolderB31 12 --C: Chinese lanterns, 33x42 (20x29) cm.
American Designers' Gallery, 1928-1929 :
Urban joined with other artists to establish a cooperative art gallery at 145 W. 57th St. Their first exhibit was shown in October of 1928 for which Urban designed a young lady's room entitled "Repose."
Box Folder31 14 14 photographsBox Folder31 14 7 letters, ts., 10 p.
JOSEPH URBAN 104
Central Park Casino, 1929 :
3 drawings, watercolor :Box FolderB28 4 --external view, 26x36 (14x24) cm., sig.Box FolderD13 6 --Ceiling pattern, 34x53 (30x45) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-1 B.6 --North and South Wall, Ballroom, 28x63 cm.Box Folder31 15 2 detail drawings and letterMapcase Folder14-9-10 4 9 technical drawingsBox Folder31 15 26 photographsBox FolderB28 5 10 photographs Box FolderC20 2 16 photographs, Sigurd FischerBox Folder31 15 2 articles from Architectural Record, 32 p.
Metropolitan Museum of Art 11th annual exhibition of American Industrial Art, February and March 1929 :
Box Folder31 16 16 photographs of sun porch and man's denBox Folder31 16 American Architect reprint, 9 p.Box Folder31 16 Mosaic Messenger coverBox Folder31 16 Woman's Journal, 3 p.
Emerich Residence, Chicago, Il., interior design, 1929 :
Remodeling of the home of Banker Melvin L. Emerich of Chicago.
Box Folder31 17 2 photographs of interiors
Hartman Trunks, 1929
Box Folder31 18 2 drawings and 1 photostat of patterns
Jewish Art Theater, proposed, 1929 :
Box Folder31 19 4 photostats of plansBox FolderD13 7 19 photostats of plansBox D13, D14 8 plansBox Folder31 19 2 photographs of proscenium
Cadillac magazine advertisement, 1929 :
Box Folder31 20 6 ad sketchesBox Folder31 20 1 letter, McManus Inc, tsBox Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 105
B28 6 7 sketches and ads
Gingerbread House, 1929 :
F. H. Bennett of Wheatsworth, Inc. asked Urban to make the Gingerbread House after seeing the Urban-designed Metropolitan production of Hänsel and Gretel.
Box Folder32 1 18 photographs of building Box Folder32 1 1 tearsheet, Fortune, p 89Box Folder32 1 Postcard, letter and ceramics catalog
Theatres, 1929 :
Mapcase Folder14-9-10 5 10 prints of ground plansMapcase Folder14-9-10 5 3 Music Center ground plans, photostats, 40x28 cm.Box E121, E122 2 Reinhardt Theater ground plansBox FolderB28 7 Mock up of p. 35, Music Center SiteBox FolderB28 7 Detail of plastic relief, p. 48Box E123-E127 5 Music Center plansBox Folder32 2 5 Music Center plans, photostatsBox Folder32 2 47 loose pagesBox Folder32 3 Book
New School for Social Research, 1929-1931 :
19 drawings, watercolor and/or pencil :Box FolderB28 8 --Talk over corner perspective, 32x41(15x22) cm.Box FolderB28 9 --Talk-over niches, 36x30 (22x19) cm.Box FolderB28 10 --Classroom, 30x45 (13x28) cm.Box FolderC20 3 --12th Street Front, 1929, 46x32 (33x19) cm.Box FolderC20 4 --Main Lobby Color Treatment, 37x37 (26x26) cm.Box FolderC21 1 --Classroom perspective, 32x41 (19x31) cm.Box FolderC21 2 --Auditorium perspective, 32x41 (20x31) cm.Box FolderD14 7 --Street elevation, 38x52 (25x34) cm.Box FolderD14 8 --Basement Lobby Color Treatment, 37x50 (24x40) cm.Box FolderD15 1 --Reception Room Color Treatment, 37x50 (19x42) cm.Box FolderD15 2 --Faculty Dining Room Color Treatment, 37x52 (19x40) cm.Box FolderD15 3 --Faculty Dining Room Color Treatment, Green, 37x50 (19x40) cm.Box FolderD15 4 --Director's offices, 36x50 (20x41) cm.Box Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 106
D15 5 --Assistant Director's offices, 37x53 (19x41) cm.Box FolderD16 1 --Ground plan, classrooms, 37x51 (25x33) cm.Mapcase Folder14-10-1 A.1 --Dance Studio Color Treatment, 37x67 (19x56) cm.Box E128-E129 --2 Street elevation Color Treatment, 47x67 cm. Box B29-B30 13 ground plansBox Folder32 4 Main floor ground planBox Folder32 4 Letters and notes, 6 p.Box FolderA10 14 Book of Color Control PatchesBox Folder32 4 Ordynski correspondence, 11 p.Box Folder32 4 10 photographsBox FolderA10 15-44 30 photographs, interior & exteriorBox FolderC21 3 4 photographs, interiorsBox Folder32 4 5 flyers, pamphlets, formsBox Folder32 4 2 articles, Architectural Digest, 14 p.Box Folder32 4 Architectural Record, 13 p.Box Folder32 4 2 bookletsBox Folder32 4 1 chapter from Johnson's autobiography, 18 p.
Atlantic Beach Club, Long Island, NY, 1930-1931 :
Urban also designed Café de Paris for Night on the Riviera fete held August 3, 1930.
13 drawings, watercolor, pencil and ink :Box FolderB30 6 --Main entrance Terrace Apartments, 33x34 (17x19) cm., sig.Box FolderD16 2 --Isometric view of Terraced Apts., 47x51 (40x44) cm., sig.Box E130 --Beach front view, blue background, 57x74 (40x44) cm.Box E131 --Beach front, green, 51x76 (42x72) cm.Box E132 --Room, color isometric drawing, 56x76 (43x36) cm.Box E133 --Apartment perspective and floor plan, 76x51 (60x39) cm., sig.Box E134 --Detail of End bays, 51x76 (38x55) cm.Box E135 --Alternate floor plan, 51x76 (35x60) cm.Box E136 --Typical floor plan, 51x76 (42x72) cm., sig.Box E137 --Basement ground plan, 51x76 (43x72) cm., sig.
Box E138 --First floor ground plan, 51x76 (43x72) cm., sig.Box E139 --5th and 6th floor plan, 51x76 (43x72) cm., sig.Box
JOSEPH URBAN 107
E140 --Penthouse floor plan, 51x76 (43x72) cm., sig.Box Folder32 5 11 photographsBox Folder32 5 Photograph of Café de Paris, August 1930 Box FolderA15 1 18 photographsBox FolderC21, C22 10 photographs
Suburban Movie Theater, 1931 :
Westchester County, NY
Box FolderD16 3 Interior, facing screen, pastel, 21x55 (16x50) cm.Box E141 Plan, longitudinal section, 46x75 (26x63) cm.Box FolderB30 7 4 photographs of modelBox Folder32 6 3 photographs of modelBox Folder32 6 2 articles, 6 p.
Note: See also Architectural League Exhibition, 1932-1933
Park Avenue Restaurant, 1931 :
Box FolderC22 3 4 photographs of club interiorBox Folder32 7 2 Architectural Forum reprints, 8 p. ea.
Palace of the Soviets, 1931 :
The Russian Government held an open competition to find an architect for their assembly hall. Urban was one of six prominent architects chosen to present a design for the building for $10,000.
Box Folder32 8 130 p. reports, specsBox Folder32 9 79 p. correspondenceBox Folder32 9 2 booklets, RussianBox FolderA15 2 Map of Moscow
7 drawings, watercolor, pencil and ink :Box FolderD17 1 --Assembly Hall, 36x46 (33x41) cm. Box FolderD17 2 --Colonnade, 34x55 (27x41) cm.Box FolderD17 3 --Perspective Central Plaza, 34x46 cm.Mapcase Folder14-10-2 5 --Interior, Large Hall with demonstration, 74x64 (70x61) cm. Mapcase Folder14-10-1 B.1 --Ground plan, 47x60 (39x54) cm.Mapcase Folder14-10-1 B.2 --Ground plan with landscaping, 43x57 cm.Mapcase Folder14-10-1 B.7 --Perspective of large hall, 46x63 cm.Box FolderD18 1-10 10 plansBox Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 108
32 9 31 photographsBox FolderA15 2 5 photographs
Lerner, Max Suburban House, 1932 :
Box Folder32 10 Photograph of model, back viewBox FolderA15 3 Photograph of model, side view
Architectural League One-Man Show, February 1932 :
Joseph Urban donated proceeds for the benefit of New York's unemployed draftsmen.
Box Folder32 11 5 photographs of Joseph Urban's officeBox Folder32 11 Plan for small house, awarded 4th prize
Fairy Tale book illustration reprints, April 22, 1932 :
The Yonkers Statesman reported on April 22, 1932 that an exhibit of prints from 24 fairy tale illustrations was held at a Yonkers book shop on 155 North Broadway.
Box FolderA15 4 & 5 34 reprints of illustrations with indexBox Folder32 12 5 reprints of illustrations with indexBox Folder32 12 9 photographs of illustrations
Congress Hotel, Joseph Urban Room, Chicago, Illinois, 1932 :
2 drawings, watercolor :Box FolderD17 4 --Urban Room, 41x41 (29x25) cm.Box FolderB30 8 --Pattern, 23x23 (18x18) cm.Box FolderD17 4 Print of Joseph Urban RoomMapcase Folder14-9-10 6 Blueprint of Balloon RoomBox Folder33 1 2 photographsBox FolderA15 6 PhotographBox FolderD17 4 Photograph, mounted
Urban, Harrison and Hood Houses Co-design, 1932 :
Raymond Hood, Joseph Urban, and Wallace K. Harrison jointly proposed a plan for houses constructed largely of steel for mass production.
Two drawings watercolor:Box FolderD17 5 --Neighborhood, 43x52 (22x40) cm.Box FolderD17 6 --Houses, front elevationsBox FolderD17 6 Ground plan for house
Book-Cadillac Hotel, Mayfair Room, Detroit, Michigan, 1932 :
JOSEPH URBAN 109
Box Folder33 3 6 sketchesMapcase Folder14-9-10 7 15 detail sketches Box Folder33 3 2 photographs
Architectural League Exhibition, 1932-1933 :
Urban arranged the 48th Annual Exhibition of the Architectural League of New York, held from February 18 to March 12, 1933, at the Galleries of the American Fine Arts Society. Urban received the President's Medal for "the unique architectural treatment of the galleries and the effective installation of the exhibits" and a Medal of Honor for his set model for the unproduced religious pageant Light
Box Folder33 4 Letters, lists, plans, 84 p.Mapcase Folder14-9-1 B.8 4 technical drawingsBox Folder33 4 11 photographs of exhibit and award ceremonyBox FolderC22 4 2 photographs of exhibitBox Folder33 4 2 certificates of awardBox FolderA15 7 Exhibit catalogBox Folder33 4 Architecture, 2 pBox Folder33 5 Medal with case
Chicago World's Fair: Century of Progress, opened May 7, 1933 :
Urban was the director of Light for the fair and designed panels for the New York exhibit. He also proposed a stage design for a religious pageant The Light which was never produced.
Box Folder33 6 1 letter from Raymond Hood, ms.Mapcase Folder14-9-10 8 1 blueprint of New York State ExhibitBox FolderA15 8 Reference picture for NY State Exhibit
17 drawings, watercolor and pencil :Box E142-E146 --11 panels of buildings, 33x84 cm.Box E147 --Agricultural Building, 63x41 cm.Mapcase Folder14-10-1 A.2 --Fountain of metal, 34x61 cm. Mapcase Folder14-10-1 A.3 --Esplanade of flags, 42x58 cm. Mapcase Folder14-10-1 B.3 --Buildings in blue, yellow, 44x70 (41x67) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-1 B.9 --Orange building with radiator center, 34x59 (26x46) cm.Mapcase Folder14-9-1 B9 --Green building with gray circle, 48x64 (45x58) cm.Box Folder33 6 1 booklet, Light RecommendationsBox FolderB30 9 2 newspaper magazine pullout sectionsBox Folder
JOSEPH URBAN 110
33 7 6 programs
Katherine Brush Apartment, 1933 :
Box Folder33 8Box FolderB30 10 3 photographsBox FolderA15 9 Article, House & Garden, January 1933
Undated :
Box Folder33 9 Decorative Illustrations
5 drawings, 24x22 cm., sig.
Hearst House :
Box Folder33 10Mapcase Folder14-9-10 9 1 ground plan, blueprint of room
Huron Building, Detroit :
Box Folder33 11Mapcase Folder14-9-10 10 Blueprint, ceiling plan
Knickerbocker Hotel :
Box Folder33 12Mapcase Folder14-9-10 11 2 blueprints
Mallin Furniture Company :
Box Folder33 13Box FolderA15 A Furniture designs, notebook
Pennsylvania Hotel roof garden :
Box Folder33 14 Photograph of roof garden
IV. BIOGRAPHICALJoseph Urban
Box Folder33 15 Letters, mementos, 1917-1930Box FolderC22 5 2 certificates as NY architect, 1925, 1931Box Folder33 16 5 caricatures, 1896-1920sBox Folder34 1 17 photographs of Urban, 1912-1933Box FolderA15 10 5 photographs of Urban and office, 1932-1933
JOSEPH URBAN 111
Box Folder34 1 6 photographs of studio artistsBox Folder34 2 22 photographs, family and friends, 1915-1960sBox FolderA15 11 Drawing, Charles Williams[?]Box Folder34 3 & 4 36 articles, 1914-1981Box Folder34 5 & 6 2 files biographical material
V. OTHER DONATIONS
5.1 Gretl Urban
Box Folder34 7 MementosBox Folder35 1 & 2 Biographical filesBox Folder35 3 24 family photographs, 1903-1932Box Folder35 4 Correspondence, 1979-1988
5.2 Cole, Robert & Randolph Carter [Urban biographers]
Box 35 & 36 Biographical notesBox Folder36 4 Letters from Gretl Urban, 1980-1991Box 36 & 37 Photographs for Urban biographyBox 39 24 Audiocassettes of Carter and Cole interviews with Gretl
5.3 Urban, Mary, 1928-1966
Box Folder37 3-8 Biographical notesBox Folder38 1 Douggie [Donald M. Douglass] biographyBox Folder38 2 9 photographs of Urban roomsBox Folder38 3 Urban Assoc., 1921-1937Box Folder38 4 Guest lists, 1934-1946Box Folder38 5-8 Exhibits, 1959-1966Box Folder38 9 65 Slides of Mary Urban's paintings, 1964Box Folder39 1 Banks, 1962-1964Box Folder39 2 Wages, domestic staff, 1964-1966Box Folder39 3 Reel to reel tape of Mary reading articles on Urban
5.4 Other Donations
JOSEPH URBAN 112
Box Folder39 4Mapcase Folder14-9-1 B.10 Japanese Calendar, 1994Box Folder39 5 Video of Show Boat Documentary, 1994Box Folder39 6 Exhibit blowups, Museum of City of New York
V. Set Models
Aegyptische Helena [Egyptian Helen]
Box Act IMet 11/6/282 BoxesNote: Rehoused 200
Aegyptische Helena [Egyptian Helen]
Box Act II: TentMet 11/6/283 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000. One Box includes part of Fidelio
Annie Dear [Annabella]
Box Rainbow GardenZiegfeld 11/4/241 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000. Shares Box with Golden Dawn
Annie Dear [Annabella]
Box Kitchen Garden CycloramaZiegfeld 11/4/241 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000. Shares Box with Golden Dawn
Antonia
Box Act II Cabaret Scene 1925Theater 10/20/251 bundleNote: Rehoused 2000. Not a set model.
Apple Blossoms
Box Act I: School GardenTheater 10/7/192 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000
Bath and Tennis Club
Box
JOSEPH URBAN 113
Persian ballroomArchitecture and Design July 19262 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000. Model formerly cataloged under Elektra
Behold Thy Wife
Box Act III: LibraryTheater 19152 BoxesNote: Renovated for exhibit 2000
Betsy
Box Garden SceneZiegfeld 12/28/261 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Boccaccio
Box Act I: City SquareMet 1/2/313 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000
Boccaccio
Box Act I: City Square BackdropMet 1/2/311 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Boccaccio
Box Act 2: Cooper'sMet 1/2/313 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000
Boccaccio
Box Act 3: ParkMet 1/2/311 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Buried Treasure
Box UnknownFilm 19222 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000
Cosi Fan Tutti
JOSEPH URBAN 114
Box PortalMet 3/4/221 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Don Carlos
Box Act II, 2: Outside of ConventMet 12/23/201 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Don Giovanni
Box Convent Scene[?]Garden SceneVillage and Harbor Scene[?]Ballroom SceneArched CourtyardOne unidentified sceneMet 11/29/29
Note: One scene rehoused. Original housing: cartons 5-8.
Don Giovanni
Box Act I, sc 5: Ballroom SceneMet Met 11/29/291 cartonNote: Renovated for exhibit, 2000. One scene rehoused.
Donna Juanita
Box Act I: PatioMet 1/2/321 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Dutchess of Elba
Box Act I: 2 decksTheater 1925/261 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Dutchess of Elba
Box Act I: Outside farmhouseTheater 1925/261 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Dutchess of Elba
Box Act I: Store Room [not used]Theater 1925/261 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Dutchess of Elba
JOSEPH URBAN 115
Box Act II: Sitting RoomTheater 1925/261 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Dutchess of Elba
Box Act II & III: decksTheater 1925/261 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Dutchess of Elba
Box Act III: bedroomTheater 1925/261 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000
Elektra
Box Persian BallMet 12/3/32 Note: Untouched. Some confusion with Bath & Tennis Club. Carton 22
Fidelio
Box Act I, Sc 1Met 1/22/273 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000
Fidelio
Box Act I, Sc 2Met 1/22/272 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000
Fidelio
Box Act II, Sc 1Met 1/22/273 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000
Fidelio
Box Act II Sc 2Met 1/22/272 Boxes*Note: Rehoused 2000. *Plus one Box shelved with Aegyptische Helena
Flying High
Box In Front of ApartmentIn Front of Major Watts' Apt.Field at Night Sc.Flight Sc. [?]3 Curtain
JOSEPH URBAN 116
Flying Field Sc.Theater 3/3/30
Note: One scene rehoused. Original Housing: 5 bundles plus cartons 19 & 20.
Flying High
Box Act 2.6: flightTheater 3/3/301 BoxNote: Renovated for exhibit, 2000
Fra Gherado
Box Act I Sc 2Act II Court YardAct III InteriorAct III Sc 2 City PlazaMet 3/21/29
Note: Untouched. [Out 8/2/00]. Original houring: 4 bundles plus carton 12.
Freischutz
Box Unknown/ 3 modelsMet 3/22/24
Note: Untouched. Original houring: two bundles plus one oversize bundle
George White Scandals
Box PortalsObservatory SceneCherry Girls DropHeaven SceneCotton Field SceneSunrise SceneEditors OfficeMission SceneMine SceneSunrise Scene(not used)Misc. partsLocomotive SceneWonder Bar ScenePeanut VendorStreet SceneGarden SceneGreen and Red Dome Scene (not used)Tent SceneMicrophone Scene (not used)Portals - Portal WIng - Silver WingsEmpire State Bldg. SceneCharriot SceneDream SceneSpring SceneDoctor's Office SceneObservatory Scene (not used)
JOSEPH URBAN 117
Ray Scene Heaven Scene (not used)Paradise Scene (not used)Good Old Days SceneTheater 9/14/31
Note: Untouched. Original houring: 30 bundles
Golden Dawn
Box Act I Sc 3: Cut dropTheater 11/30/27 1 Box*Note: Rehoused 2000. *shares Box with Annie Dear
Golden Dawn
Box Act I. Sc 3Theater 11/30/27 2 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000. Cartons 24-28 [Cartons might be "Human Nature"]
Golden Dawn
Box Act II Sc 2Theater 11/30/27 3 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000. Cartons might be "Human Nature"
Good Fairy
Box Lawyer's OfficeTheater 11/24/31 1 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000. There was apparently some Palace of the Soviets (Arch.) material included in the bundles and removed.
Good Fairy
Box I: Chamber, Scene BTheater 11/24/31 2 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000. There was apparently some Palace of the Soviets (Arch.) material included in the bundles and removed.
Greatest Nation
Box UnknownTheater 2/28/161 bundleNote: Untouched
JOSEPH URBAN 118
Hansel and Gretel
Box UnknownMet 11/5/271 oversize bundleNote: Untouched
Hot - Cha! [Laid in Mexico]
Box NightclubOutside of ArenaFiesta PortalWall of ArenaTraining Wuarters1 Tree Border; 1 leg Drop; 1 CanopyPublic SquareParlk SceneTrain SceneGirls RoomProcessionCafeStreet Scene
Ziegfeld 3/8/32 13 bundlesNote: Untouched
Human Nature [Gun Powder]
Box Act ITheater 11/30/27 2 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000. Cartons 24-28? [Cartons might be Golden Dawn]
Jonny Spielt Auf
Box Act I Sc 2Act II Sc 2Anita's RoomAct I Sc 3/4 Corridor SceneAct II Sc 5 Railroad StationAct II Sc 6 Street SceneAct II Sc 8 FinaleAct II Sc 4 Street SceneAct I Sc 1 and Act II Sc 3 Palace Hotel (Glacier) Met 1/19/29
Note: One scene rehoused. Original Housing: 8 Bundles plus Carton 33
Jonny Spielt Auf
Box Act II Sc 5 Railroad StationMet 1/19/296 Boxes1 cartonNote: Renovated for exhibit.
JOSEPH URBAN 119
Original Housing: 8 Bundles plus Carton 33
Juive, La [The Jewess]
Box Act IV Sc 2Met 11/22/19
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
King's Henchman
Box Act IAct IIAct IIIAct II, ForestAct IIMet 2/17/27
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 5 Bundles
Lohengrin
Box Acts I, II, IIIMet 2/6/21
Note: Untouched. no models; sketches
Louisa Miller
Box Terrace sc., Act II, interior; Act III (not used); Act IV, Living Room sceneMet 12/21/29
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 4 bundles plus Carton 14
Louise
Box Acts I & IV, Garret room; Street sc.Act II, Sc.2, Sewing roomAct III, garden sc.Met 3/1/29
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: four bundles
Macbeth
Box UnknownTheater 2/7/16
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Madam Pompadour[?]
JOSEPH URBAN 120
Box [Ziegfeld Follies?] Act III (not used)Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Madama Butterfly
Box Border #1, Act IMet 11/24/22
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Manon
Box Act IIIAct IV, Gambling RoomMet 12/22/28
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 2 bundles
Melody
Box Act I : Jess SceneAct II London Mall Drop[?]Act IIIJolly Miller Inn Drop[?]Theater 2/14/33
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 unidentified bundle
Merry Wives of Windsor
Box Street SceneTheater 3/20/16
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Norma
Box Act IAct IIAct IIIMet 11/16/27
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 3 bundles plus carton 13
Oberon
Box UnknownMet 12/28/18
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
JOSEPH URBAN 121
Palm Beach Girls [Palm Beach Nights]
Box Umbrella SceneRed Gauze Scene (not used)Patio SceneOriental Scene(not used)Golden Palm Tree SceneOriental SceneCabaret SceneZiegfeld 1/4/26
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 7 bundles
Pelleas et Melisande
Box Tracings[?]Met 3/21/25
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Peter Ibbetson
Box Act IV Sc 4 Opera Box sceneAct III Sc 1 Colonel's RoomGlade Scne and Chaplain's RoomAct III Sc 1/3; Act II Sc 2Act III Sc 5Act III Sc 2/3Met 2/7/32
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: six bundles
Polly
Box Club Reception RoomAviationLong Island R.R. Stattion and Casino SceneTheater 1/8/29
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: three bundles
Pom Pom
Box UnknownTheater 2/28/16
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Princess Charming
Box Miscellaneous piecesTheater 10/13/30
JOSEPH URBAN 122
Note: One scene rehoused. Original Housing: Cartons 16-18
Princess Charming
Box BedroomTheater 10/13/30
Note: Renovated for exhibit, 2000. Original Housing: Cartons 16-18
Prophete [Propheta]
Box UnknownMet 2/7/18
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Restless Sex
Box Garden of Paradise prologueFilm 1920
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: one bundle.Formerly filed under Adam and Eve, but GC believes this to be thesetting for the live action prologue to Restless Sex, or, possibly, a Follies number.
Rio Rita
Box Courtyard of a Mexican mansionZiegfeld 2/2/271 cartonNote: Renovated for exhibit, 2000.
Rio Rita
Box Cave SceneInn SceneWedding SceneShip SceneZiegfeld 2/2/27
Note: One scene renovated. Original Housing: 4 bundles plus carton 21
Ripples [Fred Stone Show]
Box ExtrasCottage DropFinale SceneBall Room SceneHudson River SceneTrouper's Room Scene
JOSEPH URBAN 123
Fianl Scene(not used)Mountain SceneIn Front of Inn SceneCurtainState Trooper and House DropThetare 2/11/30
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 11 bundles
Romeo et Juliette
Box PrologueMet 11/25/22
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Rondine, La
Box Act IAct IIAct IIIMet 3/10/28
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: two bundles plus one oversized bundle
Rosalie
Box Act II Drops in OneRomanze Scene Kings Club SceneZiegfeld 1/10/28
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: three bundles plus one unidentified--Cartons 31 - 32
Schwanda
Box Door to cityMet 11/7/31
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: one oversized bundles.a. Follies n.d., Misc. pieces
Show Girl
Box Stage Door Act II Sc 3 (not used)Drop In OneSimple SimonKissing/Forest (shelved at end in one bundle)Castle SceneMinstrel SceneAct I Sc 5 Street Sc (not used)Act I Sc 6 Night Club ScAct II Sc 32 Paris Sc (and 5 small sc's)
JOSEPH URBAN 124
Act II Sc 2 Stage Door (full se)Act II Sc 5 Dressing RoomSimple SimonConey Island ScAct I Sc 1/2 Colonial HouseSimple SimonCity Wall DropKing Cole's HallDungeon SceneZiegfeld 7/2/29
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 14 bundles plus carton 41n.b. For Show Girl and Simple Simon consult inventory list of 8/79"Simple Simon is a separate Ziegfeld show, grouped in here.
Showboat
Box UnknownZiegfeld 12/27/27
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: carton 42"See: Follies n.d. Misc. pieces"
Simple Simon
Box UnknownZiegfeld 2/18/30
Note: Currently mixed in with Show Girl bundlesSmiles
Box Dock SceneBremen Scene (both in on bundle)FInal Act 2 and Curtain (not used)Red Room SceneParis SceneFInal Act IOpening SceneMary Pickford/Golf Course Scene (one bundle)2 Bar Rooms (not used)Finale Act !Ziegfeld 11/18/30
Note: One scene rehoused. Original Housing: 9 bundles
Smiles
Box Cafe le BerryZiegfeld 11/18/30 1 cartonNote: Renovated for exhibit, 2000
Song of Flame
Box Act I Sc 1Act I Sc 1 Block ScAct I Sc 1 Street ScAct I Sc 1 Gate of CastleAct I Sc 5 Hall in Palace
JOSEPH URBAN 125
Act II Sc 1 Room in PensionAct II Sc 3 CafeAct II Sc 2 and 4 Outside of CafeAct II Sc 5 Green RoomAct II Sc 6 EpilogueTheater 12/30/25
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 10 bundles
Sonnambula
Box Count's RoomForest SceneIn Front of Mill SceneMet 3/16/32
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 3 bundles
Sons o' Guns [Tin Hats]
Box Road SceneProcession SceneTheater 11/26/29
Note: One scene rehoused. Original Housing: 2 bundles
Sons o' Guns [Tin Hats]
Box Act 2.8: BallroomTheater 11/26/292 BoxesNote: Renovated for exhibit, 2000
Tale of the Wolf
Box Dream SceneAct II Boudoir[?]Theater 10/7/25
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Thais
Box Boudoir SceneConvent SceneAct III sc 2Met 12/14/22
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 3 bundles
Three Musketeers
Box Queen's Chamber
JOSEPH URBAN 126
Garden SceneAct II Sc of BallroomHotel de Ville ParisZiegfeld 3/13/28
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 3 bundles [last two scenes in one bundle]
Treasure Girl [Gertrude Lawrence]
Box Curtain and PortalZiegfeld Follies 11/8/28 1 BoxNote: Rehoused 2000s.a. Follies n.d. Misc. pieces
Treasure Girl [Gertrude Lawrence]
Box OceanZiegfeld Follies 11/8/28 2 Boxes BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000.s.a. Follies n.d. Misc. pieces
Treasure Girl [Gertrude Lawrence]
Box GardenZiegfeld Follies 11/8/28 2 bxoesNote: Rehoused 2000
Treasure Girl [Gertrude Lawrence]
Box InteriorZiegfeld Follies 11/8/28 2 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000s.a. Follies n.d. Misc. pieces
Treasure Girl [Gertrude Lawrence]
Box JungleZiegfeld Follies 11/8/28 3 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000.s.a. Follies n.d. Misc. pieces
Treasure Girl [Gertrude Lawrence]
Box BeachZiegfeld Follies 11/8/28 3 BoxesNote: Rehoused 2000.s.a. Follies n.d. Misc. pieces
Tristan und Isolde
Box
JOSEPH URBAN 127
Act I Curtain No.'s 4,5,6,7Theater- Met 11/20/20
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 1 bundle
Turandot
Box (Steps not used)Act II Sc 1Act III Sc 2Act IAct IIIAct Iunidentified ScTheater 11/24/14
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 4 bundle plus cartons 1 -3
Vestale, La
Box Act IIAct II (not used)Act III sc 1Met 11/12/25
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 3 bundles
Walkure
Box Rocky pass sc (not used)Interior Act I (not used)Mountain Top Sc (not used) [n.p.] [n.d.]
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: 3 bundles plus carton 30
Whoopee
Box Eddie Cantor (carton 44)Tent Scene (carton 45)Eddie Cantor Ziegfeld Scene (Carton 46)Ziegfeld 12/4/28
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: Cartons 44-46
Whoopee
Box Adobe Mission with Bells (carton 43)Ziegfeld 12/4/28
Note: Renovated for exhibit, 2000. Original Housing: Cartons 43-46
JOSEPH URBAN 128
Wild Rose [Hawthorne of the U.S.A.]
Box Act I Sc 1: CasinoAct I Sc 2: Drop eith WindowAct I Sc 3: Interior InnAct I Sc 4: Garden Wall SceneAct I Sc 5: Palace GardenAct II Sc 1: Interior of PalaceAct II Sc 2: Courtyard of PalaceAct II Sc 3/5: Border LineAct II Sc 4 Tower RoomAct II Sc 6: Hall in PalaceTheater 1/20/26
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: . Ten Bundles
Yours Truly
Box Cabaret SceneMission SceneGarden SceneChinatown SceneSubterranean SceneTheater 1/25/27
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: . 5 bundles
Ziegfeld Follies 1923
Box Kid Boots Plam Beach ScSwanee River ScZiegfeld 10/20/23
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: . 2 bundles
Ziegfeld Follies 1924
Box Garden Sc, Louis XIV, Cowboy Sc.Ziegfeld 6/24/24
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: . 3 bundles
Ziegfeld Follies 1924 [Lew Fields Follies]
Box Merry-Go-Round, Con Boys sc.Ziegfeld [6/24/24]
Note: One scene rehoused
Ziegfeld Follies 1924 [Lew Fields Follies]
Box Merry-Go-RoundZiegfeld 6/24/24]2 Boxes
JOSEPH URBAN 129
Note: Partially rehoused, 2000 (needs redoing)
Ziegfeld Follies 1927
Box Cotton Field ScHouse of GlassJungle JingleGrand Staircase (carton 57; refurbished)Ziegfeld 8/16/27
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: . 3 bundles in one Box plus carton 57
Ziegfeld Follies 1931
Box Theater SceneRainbow Gauze DropsHollywood ScCurtains (not used)Penthouse ScJungle ScObservatory ScPortal and Rainbow Gauze DropsEmpire State Bldg Sc Island Sc and Trade House ScFinale 1 (not used)Cabaret Mission Sc (not used)Bridge ScPolitical Club (not used)Portal (not used)Opening Scene - Sunset Scene (not used)Band Sc (not used)Island Sc (not used)Restaurant ScB. Room ScB and D ScBuckingham Palace ScFinaleSpeakeasy ScSwanee River ScPortalGrand Hotel
Ziegfeld 7/1/31
Note: Untouched. Original Housing: . 28 bundlesCarton 36: Follies/WhoopeeCarton 35: Ziegfeld Follies/Scandles/Empire State BldgCarton 38: Follies Street ScCarton 39: Follies Blue NurseryCarton 40: Follies n.d.
Ziegfeld Follies n.d.
Box Misc. pieces including pieces from The Gertrude Lawrence Show;Schwanda; and Showboat (maybe)Ziegfeld Note: Untouched. Original Housing: Untouched. Original Housing
Ziegfeld Theater
JOSEPH URBAN 130
Box Apron and ProsceniumArch and Design 19261 cartonNote: Renovated for exhibit, 2000. carton 56